A new genus in the tribe Acidoxanthini (Diptera: Tephritidae: Trypetinae) from India, with a discussion of its phylogenetic relationships

Abstract Gibbifronta pavoniae David, Hancock and Han, gen. et sp. nov., is described from India. The current status of the subtribe Acidoxanthina is scrutinized based on both morphological characters and DNA barcoding analysis, and this taxon is formally proposed as the tribe Acidoxanthini within the subfamily Trypetinae in order to accommodate the genera Gibbifronta, Acidoxantha Hendel, Craspedoxanthitea Hardy and Acidoxanthopsis Hering. We found that the members of the Acidoxanthini possess a unique characteristic within the family Tephritidae, the short and broadly truncate lateral surstylus with reduced prensisetae and 1–3 pairs of strong dorsal setae on epandrium. Even though comparable information is not available for Acidoxanthopsis, it is retained in Acidoxanthini. Gibbifronta is distinguished from other genera of the tribe by the presence of a high gena and prominent hump-like projection on the frons. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA barcodes revealed that Gibbifronta is closely related to Acidoxantha and support its placement in Acidoxanthini. COI sequences of Gibbifronta pavoniae, Nitrariomyia lukjanovitshi Rohdendorf, Acidoxantha galibeedu David and Ramani and an undescribed Acidoxantha species have been obtained and reported. A key to the genera of Acidoxanthini is also provided.http://zoobank.org/100D010D-21D3-4F0B-B38E-1F72DC8E9BF3.