Insectifera

Insectifera is a proposed, though not universally accepted, taxonomic grouping within the phylum Arthropoda. The concept of insectifera is primarily based on the idea of a common ancestor for insects and certain other arthropod groups, often including myriapods (millipedes and centipedes) and crustaceans. This proposed clade would represent a more inclusive classification than the traditional class Insecta. The term itself literally translates to "those bearing insects" or "insect-bearers," implying a lineage from which insects evolved.

The primary evidence supporting the idea of insectifera comes from molecular phylogenetic studies, which analyze genetic material to reconstruct evolutionary relationships. These studies sometimes suggest a close relationship between insects and myriapods, with both groups diverging from a common ancestor. Other hypotheses place crustaceans within this broader grouping as well, though the exact composition and monophyly of insectifera remain subjects of ongoing scientific debate and research.

Alternative viewpoints in arthropod classification do not always recognize insectifera as a distinct or valid taxonomic rank. Some researchers prefer to maintain traditional groupings like Hexapoda (which includes insects and their closest relatives) or focus on other proposed clades based on different sets of morphological or molecular data. The classification of arthropods is a complex and dynamic field, with new discoveries frequently leading to revisions of existing phylogenetic trees and taxonomic schemes. Therefore, insectifera, while an interesting hypothesis, is not yet a firmly established part of the scientific consensus on arthropod evolution.