The phylogeny of lance lacewings (Neuroptera: Osmylidae)

The first phylogeny of the lacewing family Osmylidae is presented here based on a total evidence analysis of DNA sequences for multiple gene loci and morphology for representatives of almost all extant genera. Our phylogeny shows a basal dichotomy in the family, with subfamilies Protosmylinae, Spilosmylinae and Gumillinae comprising one lineage, and the other lineage including Osmylinae, Porisminae, Eidoporisminae, Kempyninae and Stenosmylinae. The status of ParyphosmylusKruger and LysmusNavas as members of Protosmylinae is affirmed as well as the placement of Gumillinae near Protosmylinae and Spilosmylinae. Our results suggest that Porisminae, Eidoporisminae and Stenosmylinae evolved from a common ancestor, and their relationships, including likely paraphyly of Stenosmylinae, requires further assessment. Divergence time analysis revealed that the family originated during the Late Permian before the break-up of the supercontinent Pangaea and that present generic distributions are not due to Gondwanan biogeographic events. All major subfamily-level lineages were present by the end of the Triassic, in agreement with the rich Mesozoic-aged fossil record for the family.