Determining the phylogenetic status of Macromiidae among anisopterous dragonflies (Insecta:Odonata)

Over the past century, intrafamilial relationships within Anisoptera (Insecta:Odonata), a suborder made up of dragonflies, have been reconstructed several times often with little consensus. Macromiidae, 1 of 11 families in the suborder, is made up of 4 genera (Didymops, Epopthalmia, Macromia, and Phyllomacromia) and approximately 120 species found worldwide. This monophyletic family was only recently elevated to such after being placed as a subfamily in Corduliidae. Known as river cruisers or skimmers, these emerald dragonflies still do not have a confirmed position in the tree. By using cytoplasmic rRNA 28S, the most stable gene in all cells, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), I will answer questions about their systematic relationships.