Forging an alliance: linking taxonomy, phylogeny and community ecology

Research in insect systematics and in insect community ecology often proceeds in isolation, with minimal collaboration between the two subdisciplines. This results in missed opportunities for fruitful interplay. We argue that there are more common elements and challenges in these two fields than usually realized, and that each research area has tangible benefits to offer the other. We will discuss the needs for taxonomic and phylogenetic resolution in community ecology research, as well as the benefits that ecological research can bring to taxonomists. Consideration of such issues as sampling design, specimen processing, selection of target taxa, species and morphospecies sorting and vouchers is important to both camps, and consultation and careful planning prior to the beginning of a study could lead to synergistic interactions that benefit both systematics and ecology. Examples from recent and ongoing studies in Nearctic Diptera diversity will be used to illustrate the added value of collaboration, and to outline needs for additional research and interaction.