D3160: Molecular phylogeny of the mayfly family Heptageniidae (Ephemeroptera)

Ephemeroptera are “a small but diverse order of amphinotic insects associated with liquid freshwater worldwide” (Jacobus et al., 2019) that include at least “3083 species, 376 genera, and 37 described families” (Ogden, Whiting, 2005). With more than 600 species and 36 genera, the Heptageniidae family of mayflies is primarily found throughout the Holarctic, Oriental, and Afrotropical biogeographic realms with some presence in Central and South America; however, their abundance in these realms is largely dependent upon the season in which they’re found (Wolda, Flowers, 1985). These flat-headed mayflies dwell in streams and rivers and consume detritus and diatoms. Historically, the relationship of Heptageniidae relative to other mayfly families hasn’t been well understood (Ogden et al. 2009, Yanai et al 2017). The objectives of this project are to 1.) Compare the findings of Sanger 6-gene sequence topologies with recently generated phylogenomic topologies (likelihood and Bayesian trees for each), and 2.) Combine the Sanger 6-gene and phylogenomic data to generate a topology that includes both sets in order to better test the monophyly of the family at large.