Phylogenetic studies of Dasymutilla and their relatives shed light on mimicry, biodiversity, and biogeography (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

Bayesian methods are used to reconstruct the phylogeny of Dasymutilla and their relatives. Current members of Dasymutilla are recovered in four separate clades, indicating that taxonomic changes are required. True members of Dasymutilla are nested among seven Neotropical clades, indicating that this group originated in South America. Multiple dating analyses are used to identify divergence dates between North and South American taxa; these dates reveal potential migration routes or vicariant events that allowed the ancestors of Dasymutilla to invade North America. Dating analyses also shed light on the origin of Central American and Antillean taxa. The following mimetic types are mapped onto the phylogeny: Dual Sex-Limited Mimicry, Batesian Mimicry by males, and Müllerian Mimicry complexes among females. The effect of mimicry complexes on biodiversity is also examined.