Monophyly, composition, and relationships within Saturniinae (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae): Evidence from two nuclear genes JEROME C. REGIER, CHARLES MITTER, RICHARD S. PEIGLER and TIMOTHY P. FRIEDLANDER The approximately 1500 species of Saturniidaeor wild silk moths, which include some of the largest of all lepidopterans, have provided important model systems for studies of ecology, developmental genetics, and behavior. Such studies would benefit from a robust comparative framework,but there has been little phylogeneticanalysis of this family. To address this, we use nuclear gene sequences to test hypotheses about the monophyly and internal relationships of the large and geographically widespread subfamily Saturniinae (63 genera, 644 spp.). Extending our previous examinationof the genera of Attacini, we analyze coding sequence from elongation factor-1α (1240 nt) and dopa decarboxylase (typically 1051 nt) in 64 species representing four of five tribes in Saturniinae, 11 of 16 genera in Saturniini,and outgroups in Saturniidae and other bombycoids. The results support a recent postulate that Saturniinae, largely Oriental and Palearctic in distribution, should include the African Micragonini. The alternative that Micragonini or some subgroup thereof constitute its own subfamily (previ- ously called Ludiinae) is shown to result in a paraphyletic Saturniinae. Micragonini group strongly with the tribe Bunaeini, also African. Monophyly for Saturniinae, including Micragonini, is strongly supported, as is a basal split between Attacini + Saturniini and Bunaeini + Micragonini. As a consequence, a postulated affinity to the African tribes of two Madagascan endemic Saturniini,thus rendering Saturniini paraphyletic, is rejected. However, there is no strong evidence either way on monophyly of Saturniini versus paraphyly with respect to the clearly monophyletic Attacini (atlas moths and relatives). This result reflects generally weak resolution of deeper divergences in Saturnini. Several lower-level groupings within Saturniini are strongly corroborated, including the tailed-hindwinged 'moon moths' (Argema, Actias, Graellsia) that specialize on resinous hostplants, and Saturnia sensu lato, a consolidation of eight small, former genera. Jerome C. Regier, Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Plant Sciences Bldg., College, Park, MD 20742, U.S.A. (regi- er@glue.umd.edu). Charles Mitter, Department of Entomology,University of Maryland, Plant Sciences Bldg., College Park, MD 20742, U.S.A. (cm42@umail.umd.edu). Richard S. Peigler,Department of Biology,University of the Incarnate Word,4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209 U.S.A. (rpeigler@texas.net). Timothy P. Friedlander, Center for AgriculturalBiotechnology & Department of Entomology, Plant Sciences Bldg., College Park, MD 20742, U.S.A. Introduction The Satumiidae, or wild silk moths, are the most diverse family of Bombycoidea sensu stricto (Minet 1994), consisting of about 1500 species. Satumiids, which include some of the largest and most conspicuous of all moths, have provided im- portant model systems for studies of insect/ plant interactions and caterpillar ecology (e.g., Johnson 1999, Scriber 1983), developmental genetics (e.g., see chapters in Goldsmith & Wilkins 1995), and mediation of insect behavior by pheromones (e.g., Baker & Vogt 1988, Capinera 1980, Riddiford & Williams 1971), among other subjects. Many of the resulting hypotheses are inherently compara-