Microminae
Genus Guides
1- Micromus(brown lacewings)
Microminae is a of brown lacewings ( Hemerobiidae) containing four with distinct geographic distributions: the globally distributed Micromus, Neotropical Nusalala, New Caledonian Noius, and Australian-New Guinean Megalomina. The subfamily is defined by a single unambiguous synapomorphy: male abdominal tergites 9 and 10. Molecular dating places the divergence of Microminae from its sister subfamily Drepanepteryginae in the Early Cretaceous, approximately 131–141 million years ago, with crown-group Microminae originating 112–118 million years ago.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Microminae: /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈmaɪˌni/
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Identification
Microminae can be distinguished from other Hemerobiidae by the fusion of male abdominal tergites 9 and 10, a synapomorphic character state unique to this group. Additional homoplasious (characters 23:1 and 37:1) support subfamily placement but are not exclusive to Microminae. External morphological characters for field identification to subfamily level are not well documented in available sources.
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Distribution
The has a composite distribution reflecting its constituent : Micromus is globally distributed; Nusalala is restricted to the Neotropics; Noius is to New Caledonia; and Megalomina occurs in Australia and New Guinea.
Similar Taxa
- DrepanepteryginaeSister of Microminae, distinguished by non- male abdominal tergites 9 and 10 and estimated divergence 131–141 million years ago.
- Other Hemerobiidae subfamiliesLack the male tergites 9–10 synapomorphy that defines Microminae.
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Phylogenetic relationships
Recent phylogenetic studies place Drepanepteryginae as the sister of Microminae. The last common ancestor of crown-group Microminae is estimated to have lived between 112 and 118 million years ago.