Thomson, Robin Elizabeth2014-05-282014-05-282014-04https://hdl.handle.net/11299/163292University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. April 2014. Major: Entomology. Advisor: Ralph W. Holzenthal. 1 computer file (PDF); xiii, 345 pages.Hydroptilidae Stephens, 1836 is the most diverse family [6 subfamilies, 76 genera (including 3 fossil genera), and over 2,100 species] belonging to the order Trichoptera. The family is cosmopolitan, occurring in all faunal regions of the world. A summary of the general morphology, biology, and taxonomic history and an overview of historically recognized taxa of Hydroptilidae are provided. Monophyly of Hydroptilidae and each of the 6 subfamilies was tested using 90 ingroup taxa, mitochondrial DNA (COI), and ribosomal RNA (D1-3). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analysis methods were used to estimate phylogeny. Monophyly was recovered for Hydroptilidae, but not Ptilocolepidae. Monophyly was also recovered for the subfamilies Leucotrichiinae, Neotrichiinae, Ochrotrichiinae, and Stactobiinae. Monophyly for the subfamilies Hydroptilinae and Orthotrichiinae was not recovered. The genera <italic>Alisotrichia</italic> and <italic>Cerasmatrichia</italic> were recovered as a clade separate from all other subfamilies, as was the genus <italic>Byrsopteryx</italic>. The genus <italic>Dibusa</italic>, formerly <italic>incertae sedis</italic>, was recovered as sister to all other hydroptilids genera, excluding <italic>Palaeagapetus</italic> and <italic>Ptilocolepus</italic>. The genus <italic>Orphninotrichia</italic>, also formerly <italic>incertae sedis</italic>, was recovered within one clade of Hydroptilinae genera. Several taxonomic changes were necessary for classification to reflect phylogeny. Accordingly, I propose that the ptilocolepid genera <italic>Palaeagapaetus</italic> and <italic>Ptilocolepus</italic> be returned to Hydroptilidae as 2 genera separate from any subfamily. I also propose that the status of <italic>Alisotrichia</italic>, <italic>Byrsopteryx</italic>, and <italic>Cerasmatrichia</italic> be changed to <italic>incertae sedis</italic> within Hydroptilidae and that <italic>Dibusa</italic> and <italic>Orphninotrichia</italic> be removed from incertae sedis. A species-level revision of <italic>Leucotrichia</italic> was also completed, including a generic diagnosis, illustrations, a key, and descriptions of males. A total of 43 species were treated, 13 described as new: <italic>Leucotrichia angelinae</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>L. denticulata</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Mexico), <italic>L. dianeae</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Costa Rica), <italic>L. fulminea</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Ecuador), <italic>L. hispida</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Costa Rica), <italic>L. kateae</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>L. pectinata</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Ecuador), <italic>L. procera</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Brazil), <italic>L. repanda</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>L. rhomba</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Costa Rica), <italic>L. riostoumae</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Ecuador), <italic>L. sidneyi</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), and <italic>L. tapantia</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Costa Rica). Descriptions and new records for hydroptilid species found in Brazil and Venezuela were also provided. Illustrations and descriptions of males were given for all new species. A total of 10 new species were described: <italic>Acostatrichia digitata</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>Betrichia alibrachia</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Brazil), <italic>Hydroptila cressae</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>Leucotrichia bicornuta</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Brazil), <italic>Metrichia bostrychion</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>Ochrotrichia spira</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>Oxyethira bettyae</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>Oxyethira quiramae</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), <italic>Oxyethira redunca</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela), and <italic>Rhyacopsyche shorti</italic>, <bold>new species</bold> (Venezuela). New records were provided for 2 species: <italic>Neotrichia feolai</italic> Santos and Nessimian, 2009 (Venezuela) and <italic>Oxyethira picita</italic> Harris and Davenport, 1999 (Venezuela).en-USGeneric revisionHydroptilidaePhylogenySpecies descriptionTrichopteraThesis or Dissertation