Phylogenetic analyses of Leptoceroidea and Calamoceratidae, and revisions of the neotropical genera Banyallarga and Phylloicus (Insecta: Trichoptera)

This dissertation consists of four related studies. The first chapter investigates family-level relationships in Leptoceroidea, a superfamily of case-making caddisflies, using molecular and morphological data. The second chapter examines generic relationships of one leptoceroid family, Calamoceratidae, using morphological data. The third and fourth chapters are taxonomic revisions of the Neotropical calamoceratid genera, Banyallarga and Phylloicus, respectively. Summaries of each chapter follow.; In Chapter 1, monophyly of the superfamily Leptoceroidea was assessed and phylogenetic relationships of included families inferred. 87 adult and 49 larval morphological characters were scored. A 439 by fragment of the mitochondrial gene COI was sequenced. These data were combined with published sequence data from nuclear ribosomal RNA regions D1, D3, and V4. Parsimony analyses of the data recovered cladograms inconsistent with current superfamily definitions. The largest clade contained Atriplectididae, Calamoceratidae, Leptoceridae, Odontoceridae, and the Chilean genus Trichovespula (currently placed in Tasimiidae). The Sri Lankan genus Nietnerella, previously placed within Leptoceridae, is transferred to Atriplectididae. Placement of Trichovespula and the Asian genus Limnocentropus remain ambiguous.; In Chapter 2, morphological data were collected to recover relationships among the eight extant Calamoceratidae genera. 39 calamoceratid species and 16 outgroup taxa were scored for 190 larval and adult characters. Anisocentropus and Phylloicus were found to be sister genera, rejecting the hypothesis of Lestage (1936) that Anisocentropus is sister to the other seven calamoceratid genera. Heteroplectron was not recovered as monophyletic. Cladistic diagnoses are given for Anisocentropus, Banyallarga, and Phylloicus.; In Chapter 3, systematics of the genus Banyallarga are reviewed. Illustrations, a generic diagnosis, and descriptions are provided for males and females. A new subgenus, Histricoverpa Prather, is recognized. Nine previously described species are recognized. Eight species are described as new. The genus Loxinum, formerly considered a synonym of Banyallarga, is designated a synonym of Chimarrhodella (Philopotamidae).; In Chapter 4, systematics of the genus Phylloicus are reviewed. Illustrations, a generic diagnosis, and descriptions are provided for males and females. 61 nominal species are recognized, of which 26 are newly described. Five species are designated as junior synonyms. Phylloicus crenatus Navás, P. medius Miiller and P. tricalcaratus (Ulmer) are considered nomina dubia.