Genome size diversity in Neuropterida

Insect genomes vary widely between 100 Mb and 18,000 Mb making predictions about the genome size of any given insect or group of insects problematic. There are differences in the mean, median and range of genome size for different insect clades; and these differences can offer clues to expected genome size. Even then, these clues are entirely absent for clades which include few or no species that have associated genomes size estimates. No published estimates of genome size exist for any species belonging to the superorder Neuropterida. We have recently estimated genome size for more than 50 species in the orders Neuroptera, Megaloptera, and Raphidoptera, ranging from a low of 151 Mb (Nallachius americanus) to a high of 1620 Mb (Euptilon ornatum). These data will be reviewed and contrasted with known genome size data from other insect orders. The application and potential of these data to help advance phylogenomics research within the Neuropterida will be discussed.