Phylogenomics and deep convergence in cockroach hind-wing morphology

Despite regular advances in Blattodea systematics, several relationships remain controversial or untested in formal phylogenetic reconstructions. This common situation for understudied metazoan groups limits our power to answer questions about phenotypic evolution. In this study, we infer the evolutionary history of Blattodea using newly sampled taxa that improve phylogenetic resolution while also illuminating the evolutionary history of an unusual phenotype—the apically folded hind-wing. Taxa newly sequenced include those with a hind-wing apical fold (Anaplecta pulchella, A. pygmaea, A. sp. cf. malaysensis, Diplopterina parva, Prosoplecta semperi, Anaplectoidea klossi, and Oulopteryx illuminata sp. nov. that we describe herein, including its male genitalia) and other rare taxa (Dipteretrum hamstroemi, Duchailluia togoensis, Lauraesilpha mearetoi, Buboblatta vlasaki). The phylogenetic design utilizes 41 genes over 91 species in total, analyzed in a maximum likelihood and coalescent fram..., ,