Crane fly (Diptera: Tipuloidea) systematics: past, present, and future

Superfamily Tipuloidea, commonly known as true crane flies, represents a taxonomically and ecologically diverse group within Diptera. Species in this clade are easily recognized by their characteristic long-legged appearance and are widespread across terrestrial and aquatic habitats. This review synthesizes the current state of Tipuloidea systematics, providing an overview of key contributions from the past that have shaped our present understanding. We review the paleontological evidence available for this group and summarize phylogenetic studies that have explored evolutionary relationships across different taxonomic levels. Although significant progress has occurred in documenting global crane fly diversity, opportunities remain to associate conspecific life stages, undertake revisionary taxonomy, and stabilize the classification system through expanded taxon sampling and the use of new genetic markers and mitochondrial genomes in future phylogenetic analyses. Finally, we highlight priority areas for future research to enhance our understanding of Tipuloidea evolution and classification.

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