Odonata systematics: past, present, and future: a review of the phylogenetic works in Anisoptera (dragonflies)

Abstract

Odonata is an insect order that comprises ~6420 described species distributed among three suborders. Here we review the dragonflies, or Anisoptera, a suborder which has 10 described families, and forms a sister group relationship with the ‘Anisozygoptera’ [Epiprocta: Anisoptera + ‘Anisozygoptera’], a paraphyletic grouping containing just one extant family and many extinct taxa. Dragonflies are charismatic, ancient, fast flying, predatory insects whose natural history is woven into the fabric of human culture. As objects of systematic study, their relative position in the insect tree of life relates to the origin of flight, of freshwater juvenile lifestyles, and the evolution of color and vision. In this paper, we will review the past, present, and future of Odonatology, highlighting the work being done all across the globe to revise and define the suborder Anisoptera. In particular, we focus on ‘problematic’ areas in the tree, the Gomphidae and Libellulidae, with an emphasis on how taxon and data sampling are solving these problems in the current global work.