Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles
Published on: July 11, 2025
Testing the monophyly of Calocidae (Insecta: Trichoptera) based on multiple molecular data
Kjell Arne Johanson1, Tobias Malm
1Entomology Department, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden. kjell.arne.johanson@nrm.se
This study confirms the Calocidae family of caddisflies is monophyletic, with Australian genera forming a sister group to the New Zealand genus. Molecular data resolved the phylogeny of this unique insect group.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Molecular Phylogenetics
- Entomology
Background:
- Calocidae is a hypothesized monophyletic group of caddisflies (Trichoptera).
- This family is geographically restricted to New Zealand and Australia.
- Previous phylogenetic studies have not fully resolved the Calocidae family's monophyly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the monophyly of the Calocidae family using molecular data.
- To reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the Calocidae and its related taxa.
- To evaluate the utility of novel genetic markers in Trichoptera phylogenetics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of five molecular genes: two mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I, 16S) and three nuclear (elongation factor 1-alpha, RNA polymerase-II, Cadherin).
- Data set comprised 29 species, representing all Calocidae genera and related taxa.
- Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian inference with varying partition strategies.
Main Results:
- Both MP and Bayesian analyses supported the monophyly of Calocidae.
- A monophyletic clade of Australian genera was identified as the sister group to the New Zealand genus.
- The Cadherin (CAD) and RNA polymerase-II (POL-II) genes proved valuable for resolving Trichoptera phylogenies.
Conclusions:
- The study provides strong molecular evidence for the monophyly of the Calocidae family.
- The phylogenetic placement supports a biogeographic link between Australian and New Zealand calocids.
- The Cadherin gene is a significant marker for future Trichoptera phylogenetic research.
More Related Videos
10:17Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA Primers
Published on: October 5, 2017
08:36Empirical, Metagenomic, and Computational Techniques Illuminate the Mechanisms by which Fungicides Compromise Bee Health
Published on: October 9, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Microbial Phylogeny
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
In contrast, regions which code...