Mitochondrial phylogenetics of UK eurytomids

The aim of this study was to investigate the taxonomic limits of species within four Eurytomid genera, namely Eurytoma Illiger, Tetramesa Walker, Ahtola Claridge and Sycophila (Walker). In order to further clarify the taxonomic status of the genera, including Tetramesa, Eurytoma, Ahtola and Sycophila, mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis revealed differentiation between the above Eurytomid genera. With the sequence data, the monophyletic status of three of these genera is well supported by all methods of phylogenetic reconstruction. Only Tetramesa, which is by far the most specious taxon studied here, seems polyphyletic, but even in this case, there are certain relationships within the group that are interesting from both a morphological and host preference point of view. For example, T. petiolata (Walker) and T. airae (von Schlechtendal), which are both herbivores of the grass, Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) (Beauv.) group together and two clusters contained all species that use Elymus repens (L.), i.e., T. linearis (Walker), T. hyalipenis (Walker) and T. cornuta (Walker). Another result of this analysis supports the validity of Ahtola as a separate genus, which was previously uncertain. © 2006 Academic Journals Inc.