The Application of Molecular Techniques to Improve the Classification of Limoniidae

The family Limoniidae is the most species-rich within the order Diptera. The classification of this family is still unresolved and is based largely on morphological studies and the opinions of a few specialists. The rapid advancement of molecular techniques has created new opportunities to address long-standing systematic challenges. Nevertheless, relatively few studies have used molecular data to refine our understanding of Limoniidae and its relationships with allied lineages. In the present study, we reviewed publications that applied molecular approaches to improve the classification of Limoniidae and clarify its relationships with related groups. Relevant studies were identified through the literature section of the Catalogue of the Craneflies of the World using the keywords “classification”, “systematics”, and “molecular”. We retained only studies that employed molecular data to investigate the classification of Limoniidae, the phylogenetic position of the family within Tipuloidea, and the placement of Tipulomorpha within the dipteran tree. The studies reviewed consistently support the conclusion that Limoniidae is not monophyletic. In contrast, Tipulomorpha is consistently recovered as a monophyletic lineage, although its position within the dipteran tree remains controversial. Consequently, a satisfactory taxonomic framework has yet to be achieved. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing and the generation of large-scale molecular datasets provide unprecedented opportunities to resolve these systematic uncertainties. We therefore advocate expanding both taxon sampling and the number of genetic markers included in phylogenetic analyses. Ultimately, a coordinated effort among research groups and institutions is likely to represent the most effective strategy for resolving the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of Limoniidae.