Phylogeny and historical biogeography of silky lacewings (Neuroptera: Psychopsidae)

Abstract

Psychopsidae (silky winged lacewings) are a small family of Neuroptera characterized by broad hirsute wings that impart a physical resemblance to moths. The fossil record includes many psychopsid-like taxa from the Late Triassic to Early Oligocene from all major continents. Extant species have a disjunct, tripartite distribution comprising Afrotropical, Southeast Asian and Australian regions that is significant to historical biogeography. Two subfamilies are currently recognized: Zygophlebiinae in the Afrotropics, and Psychopsinae in Australia and Southeast Asia. This study explores phylogeny and historical biogeography of Psychopsidae, using data from biogeography, comparative morphology and molecular sequences (16S, 18S, CAD, COI). Our results show that: (i) the morphological phylogeny is incongruent with molecular data; (ii) Afrotropical Silveira Navás represent a separate lineage that warrants placement in its own subfamily; (iii) the family originated in Pangea; and (iv) the present genus level distribution resulted from two vicariance events associated with Gondwanan fragmentation.