Decoding the Phylogeny and Biodiversity of the clade Eumetabola: A Journey through the Character States Analysis and Cladogram Consturction of Selected Paraneoptera and Endopterygota Taxa

The phylogeny of insects is initially anchored on their morphological traits, unfolding several adaptations and distinctions among the insect taxa (Chapman, 1998; Lee & Palci, 2015; Li & Wiens, 2022). The Eumetabola has one of the highest numbers of species of any insect clade and dramatically contributes to animal species biodiversity (Nel et al., 2013). Notably, this clade is further diversified into the Paraneoptera and Endopterygota taxa, each of which contains distinct synapomorphic traits (Beutel & Gorb, 2017), allowing phylogenetic investigation.

The clade Eumetabola holds the most species of insects, comprising a large percentage of the class Insecta. By understanding the phylogeny of Eumetabola, it aids in clarifying the origins of key insect adaptations, namely metamorphosis, flight, and specialized feeding mechanisms. Such adaptations encapsulate the very essence of insect ecology, especially plant distribution and diversity (Price et al., 2011). Moreover, it aids in fields such as pest management, conservation biology, and understanding the coevolutionary dynamics between insects and their host plants. This knowledge not only enhances our understanding of insect biology but also provides valuable insights into broader evolutionary processes and ecological interactions within ecosystems.