The species-rich genus Aphis consists of more than 500 species, many of them host-specific on a wide range of plants, yet very similar in general appearance due to morphological resemblance toward particular morphological types. Most species have been historically clustered into four main phenotypic groups (gossypii, craccivora, fabae, and spiraecola groups). To confirm whether these morphological relationships are correlated with the genetic relationships, we compared the morphometric dataset of 28 characters measured/counted from 33 representative species with a phylogeny reconstructed from the combined dataset of four DNA regions (3,842 bp). The correlation of the rates of evolution between morphological and DNA datasets was highly significant in their diversification. Analysis of trait evolution revealed that the morphological traits found to be significant based on the ANOVA were confidently correlated with the phylogeny. The dominant patterns of trait evolution resulting in increased rates in short branches and temporally later evolution are likely suitable for the modality of Aphis speciation because they have adapted species-specifically, rapidly, and more recently for many different host plants.

• Hyojoong Kim(Division of EcoScience, Ewha Womans University)
• Seunghwan Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)