Molecular systematics of nearctic madicolous midges in the genus Androprosopa Mik (Diptera: Thaumaleidae)

The Thaumaleidae (commonly referred to as seepage midges) are a small family of nematocerous Diptera. There are currently 3 recognized genera in North America, with 28 described species, 23 of which are found in the west. The common name refers to the larval habitat, which are always thin vertical films of flowing water (madicolous habitats). These habitats include torrents, splash zones alongside or behind waterfalls, seepages at roadcuts and cliff-faces and in cascading mountain streams. Thaumaleids are poorly known and rarely collected largely due to this habitat specificity. The objectives of this project are to provide new information on the biology, diversity, ecology, systematics, and phylogeny of Nearctic Androprosopa Mik. Intensive field collecting along the Western Cordillera has resulted in the acquisition of molecular grade material for a majority of known species, several notable range expansions, and discovery of at least one undescribed species to date. Products from this research will include new species descriptions, reworking of existing diagnostic keys, and re-evaluation of species concepts using morphological and molecular data. Nucleotide sequences from two nuclear genes (MCS and Big Zinc Finger) will be acquired from all Nearctic Androprosopa species and several outgroup taxa and analyzed phylogenetically using modern likelihood-based methods.