Molecular data confirm family status for the Tryonicus-Lauraesilpha group (Insecta: Blattodea: Tryonicidae)

Family status was recently proposed for the Tryonicus-Lauraesilpha group (Insecta: Blattodea: Tryonicidae), which had been assigned to Blattidae before. In order to test this hypothesis, a molecular phylogenetic analysis of Blattodea was conducted using the 12S and H3 genes. The results show that Tryonicidae indeed form a lineage distinct from Blattidae. The results are compared to the previous classifications and phylogenetic hypotheses (morphology- and molecular-based). It is suggested that the Polyzosteriinae tribe Methanini should remain in Polyzosteriinae (Blattodea: Blattidae). (C) 2008 Gesellschaft fur Biologische Systematik. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.