Phylogenetic placement of bizarre karschiellid earwigs

Karschiellidae are a mysterious group of earwigs that attract attention not only because of their interesting appearance and unexplained way of life but also mainly due to their unclear classification. The phylogenetic relationships of karschiellids remain speculative even 120 years since the family was described, above all due to the unavailability of DNA-grade material for molecular phylogenetic assessment. This study includes successfully sequenced representatives of the Karschiellidae forthe first time, and a probable evolutionary scheme and natural classification of karschiellids are proposed based on the constructed multigene phylogeny.