Phylogenetic analysis of Collembola based on highly variable region of 28S rRNA gene sequence

The rRNA gene of the Willowsia bimaculata (Entomobryidae) were determined and compared the D3 fragment of the 28S rDNA with those of other collembolan species for their phylogenetic relationships. Sequences were analyzed using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and neighbor joining methods. The inferred phylogenies support monophyly of the order Collembola. The present result agreed with the phylogeny of suborder Arthropleona divided into two superfamilies (Poduroidea and Entomobryoidea) as mentioned in conventional systematics and also when compared with analysis of data of their morphological and allozyme characters performed and published elsewhere by the present author. However, concerning the suborder Symphypleona phylogenetic position, MP and NJ analyses suggest possibility that the Symphypleona may be a sister of the superfamily Poduroidea. An overall review of the results shows that the fast evolving part of 28S rDNA are informative for determining affinities among close relatives such as the family level and partly genus level in Collembola.