Question

With reference to the given phylogenetic tree of fly families, The earliest speciation event is

• A. The event leading to Muscoidea and Oestroidea
• B. The event leading to Oestroidea and Acalyptratae
• C. The event leading to Syrphoidea and Hippoboscoidea
• D. The event leading to Acalyptratae and Hippoboscoidea
• E. The event leading to Muscoidea and Acalyptratae

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The event leading to Syrphoidea and Hippoboscoidea

According to the given phylogenetic tree, the first divergence of common acestral species lead to formation of Asiloidea and ancestral species (imagine it as X) of Syrphoidea. This was followed by divergence of acestral species X into Syrphoidea and the ancestral species of Hippoboscoidea.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C.