Guanli Fu

Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570100, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Entomology, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 3   doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0013
Received: 30 Mar., 2024    Accepted: 11 May, 2024    Published: 31 May, 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Fu G.L., 2024, Phylogenetic relationships among major aphid lineages: insights from molecular and morphological data, Molecular Entomology, 15(3): 103-110 (doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0013)

Understanding the phylogenetic relationships among major aphid lineages is crucial for advancing our knowledge of their evolution, diversity, and ecological significance. This study aims to elucidate these relationships through a comprehensive analysis of both molecular and morphological data. It provides an overview of aphid diversity, discussing major families, key morphological traits, and geographic distribution; then delves into molecular phylogenetics, detailing DNA sequencing techniques, molecular markers, and methods of phylogenetic inference; additionally, examines morphological phylogenetics, emphasizing character selection, comparative morphology, and the integration of morphological data. The combined analysis of molecular and morphological data highlights the advantages, case studies, and challenges of this approach. Phylogenetic insights reveal divergence times, evolutionary rates, biogeographical patterns, and co-evolution with host plants. This study discusses the implications of these findings for pest management, conservation strategies, and future research directions. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of continued phylogenetic research to enhance our understanding of aphid evolution and inform effective management and conservation practices.

Aphid phylogenetics; Molecular markers; Comparative morphology; Evolutionary patterns; Pest management