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Duran DP, Laroche RA, Roman SJ, Godwin W, Herrmann DP, Bull E, Egan SP. Species delimitation, discovery and conservation in a tiger beetle species complex despite discordant genetic data. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6617. [PMID: 38503840 PMCID: PMC10951344 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56875-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
In an age of species declines, delineating and discovering biodiversity is critical for both taxonomic accuracy and conservation. In recent years, there has been a movement away from using exclusively morphological characters to delineate and describe taxa and an increase in the use of molecular markers to describe diversity or through integrative taxonomy, which employs traditional morphological characters, as well as genetic or other data. Tiger beetles are charismatic, of conservation concern, and much work has been done on the morphological delineation of species and subspecies, but few of these taxa have been tested with genetic analyses. In this study, we tested morphologically based taxonomic hypotheses of polymorphic tiger beetles in the Eunota circumpicta (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841) species complex using multilocus genomic and mtDNA analyses. We find multiple cryptic species within the previous taxonomic concept of Eunota circumpicta, some of which were historically recognized as subspecies. We found that the mtDNA and genomic datasets did not identify the same taxonomic units and that the mtDNA was most at odds with all other genetic and morphological patterns. Overall, we describe new cryptic diversity, which raises important conservation concerns, and provide a working example for testing species and subspecies validity despite discordant data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Duran
- Department of Environmental Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, 08028, USA.
| | - Robert A Laroche
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Stephen J Roman
- Florida State Collection of Arthropods, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA
| | - William Godwin
- Sam Houston State Natural History Collection, Huntsville, TX, 77340, USA
| | | | - Ethan Bull
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
| | - Scott P Egan
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77005, USA
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Laroche RA, Duran DP, Lee CTA, Godwin W, Roman SJ, Herrmann DP, Egan SP. A genomic test of subspecies in the Eunota togata species group (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae): Morphology masks evolutionary relationships and taxonomy. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023; 189:107937. [PMID: 37797795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Most of the world's biodiversity is described primarily or exclusively using morphological traits that may not always reflect the true evolutionary units. Accurate taxonomy is critical for conservation efforts and re-evaluation of traditional taxonomy may often be warranted since species and subspecies are frequently the focus of conservation and faunistic studies. Here, we test comprehensive taxonomic hypotheses of morphologically defined subspecies in the tiger beetle, Eunota togata (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841). The four recognized subspecies were delineated based mainly on the dorsal coloration and extent of white markings termed maculations. We combine inferences from mtDNA genealogies and genome-wide multilocus data to elucidate the evolutionary relationships within the group and assess the taxonomic implications. Three of the four subspecific taxa delineated by morphology were not supported by the genomic or mtDNA data. In fact, the species-level diversity in this group was underestimated, as E. togata was found to represent three well-supported distinct species in all genetic analyses. Emerging from these analyses, we also document an intriguing example of convergent evolution in lighter colored E. togata adapting to similar white saline backgrounds. Our collective work underscores the importance of using molecular methods to reevaluate morphological based taxonomy for species and subspecies delimitation and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Laroche
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Daniel P Duran
- Department of Environmental Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.
| | - Cin-Ty A Lee
- Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Science, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - William Godwin
- Sam Houston State Natural History Collection, Huntsville, TX 77320, USA
| | | | | | - Scott P Egan
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
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Dambri BM, Godunko RJ, Benhadji N. Baetidae (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) of Aurès Mountains (Algeria): A New Species of the Baetis alpinus Species Group, with Notes on Baetis Laech, 1815 Biogeography within Maghreb. INSECTS 2023; 14:899. [PMID: 37999098 PMCID: PMC10672397 DOI: 10.3390/insects14110899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
A new species, Baetis (Baetis) dihyaesp. nov., belonging to the Baetis alpinus species group, is described and illustrated based on larval material collected in the Aurès Mountains (northeastern Algeria) in 2020-2021. This new species is closely related to three European species, e.g., Baetis (B.) alpinus (Pictet, 1843); B. (B.) nubecularis Eaton, 1898; and B. (B.) pasquetorum Righetti & Thomas, 2002 by the combination of the following characteristics: (i) more than one short, stout bristle at the tip of segment II of the maxillary palp and (ii) a well-developed paracercus. However, the new species clearly differs from all congeners of the Baetis alpinus species group primarily by the (a) structure of mouthparts-with 14-18 long submarginal setae arranged in a single irregular row on the dorsal surface of the labrum; 2-6 short, stout bristles at the tip of segment II of the maxillary palp; and segment II of the labial palp without a considerably developed apico-internal lobe); (b) setation of abdominal terga, with a few triangular-shaped scales sparsely scattered near the posterior margin only; and (c) a well-developed paracercus, comprised of more than 50 segments. Primary data on the biology and distribution of this new species are provided, and molecular affinities are verified by the analysis of COI (barcode) sequences. Detailed notes on the distribution of mayfly species belonging to the Baetis alpinus species group common in Western Europe and the western part of North Africa are presented. The historical movement of Baetis representatives between Europe, North West Africa, and subsequently Algeria, with the land bridges 'Strait of Gibraltar' and 'Strait of Sicily' as colonization routes, is discussed in detail and identified in the present study as the Western Algeria colonization path and Eastern Algeria colonization path, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Besma M. Dambri
- Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University of Batna 2, Fesdis 05078, Batna, Algeria;
| | - Roman J. Godunko
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 31, 37005 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology and Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90237 Lodz, Poland
- State Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Teatralna 18, 79008 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Nadhira Benhadji
- Institute of Technology and Life Sciences–National Research Institute, Falenty, Hrabska Avenue 3, 05090 Raszyn, Poland
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Morin PA, Martien KK, Lang AR, Hancock-Hanser BL, Pease VL, Robertson KM, Sattler M, Slikas E, Rosel PE, Baker CS, Taylor BL, Archer FI. Guidelines and quantitative standards for improved cetacean taxonomy using full mitochondrial genomes. J Hered 2023; 114:612-624. [PMID: 37647537 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esad049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In many organisms, especially those of conservation concern, traditional lines of evidence for taxonomic delineation, such as morphological data, are often difficult to obtain. In these cases, genetic data are often the only source of information available for taxonomic studies. In particular, population surveys of mitochondrial genomes offer increased resolution and precision in support of taxonomic decisions relative to conventional use of the control region or other gene fragments of the mitochondrial genome. To improve quantitative guidelines for taxonomic decisions in cetaceans, we build on a previous effort targeting the control region and evaluate, for whole mitogenome sequences, a suite of divergence and diagnosability estimates for pairs of recognized cetacean populations, subspecies, and species. From this overview, we recommend new guidelines based on complete mitogenomes, combined with other types of evidence for isolation and divergence, which will improve resolution for taxonomic decisions, especially in the face of small sample sizes or low levels of genetic diversity. We further use simulated data to assist interpretations of divergence in the context of varying forms of historical demography, culture, and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip A Morin
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Karen K Martien
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Aimee R Lang
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Brittany L Hancock-Hanser
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Victoria L Pease
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Kelly M Robertson
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Maya Sattler
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth Slikas
- School of Life Sciences, Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Patricia E Rosel
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Lafayette, LA, United States
| | - C Scott Baker
- Marine Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, OR, United States
| | - Barbara L Taylor
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Frederick I Archer
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Duran DP, Chambers AW, Nelson KN, Roman SJ. A new species of tiger beetle (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) from the Death Valley ecosystem. Zootaxa 2023; 5293:179-184. [PMID: 37518490 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5293.1.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
A new tiger beetle species, Cicindela timbisha Duran, Chambers, Nelson & Roman n. sp., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from the Death Valley ecoregion of eastern California, USA. It is most similar to C. senilis G.Horn, 1866 but is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characteristics, including differences in maculations, chaetotaxy of the antennae and a statistically significant difference in body size (P<0.001). The new species also differs from C. senilis in that it is found in an isolated freshwater spring in an inland basin east of the Sierra Nevada mountains, whereas C. senilis is found in saline soils, primarily coastal areas and inland plains, west of the Sierra Nevada range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Duran
- Department of Environmental Science; Rowan University; Glassboro; NJ 08028; USA.
| | | | - Kristie N Nelson
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources; Division of State Parks; Jefferson City; MO 65101; USA.
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Noureldin E, Tan D, Daffalla O, Almutairi H, Ghzwani J, Torno M, Mashi O, Hobani Y, Ding H, Alamri A, Shrwani K, Albarrag A, Eisa Z. DNA Barcoding of Potential Mosquito Disease Vectors (Diptera, Culicidae) in Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050486. [PMID: 35631007 PMCID: PMC9171578 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The conventional morphological characterization of mosquito species remains heavily used for species identification in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. It requires substantial expertise and time, as well as having difficulty in confirming identity of morphologically similar species. Therefore, to establish a reliable and accurate identification system that can be applied to understanding spatial distribution of local mosquito species from the Jazan region, DNA barcoding was explored as an integrated tool for mosquito species identification. In this study, 44 adult mosquito specimens were analyzed, which contain 16 species belong to three genera of potential mosquito disease vectors (Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex). The specimens were collected from the Jazan region located in southwest Saudi Arabia. These included old and preserved mosquito voucher specimens. In addition, we assessed the genetic distance based on the generated mitochondrial partial COI DNA barcodes to detect cryptic diversity across these taxa. Nine mosquito species belonging to three genera were successfully barcoded and submitted to GenBank, namely: Aedes aegypti, Aedes caspius, Aedes vexans, Aedes vittatus, Anopheles arabiensis, Culex pipiens, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex sitiens, and Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Of these nine species, Aedes vexans, Aedes vittatus, Culex sitiens, and Culex tritaeniorhynchus were registered in GenBank for the first time from Saudi Arabia. The DNA barcodes generated a 100% match to known barcodes of these mosquito species, that also matched with the morphological identification. Ae. vexans was found to be either a case of cryptic species (subspecies) or a new species from the region. However, more research has to be conducted to prove the latter. This study directly contributes to the development of a molecular reference library of mosquito species from the Jazan region and Saudi Arabia. The library is essential for confirmation of species in support of existing mosquito surveillance and control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsiddig Noureldin
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Denise Tan
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05-08, Helios Block, Singapore 128667, Singapore; (D.T.); (M.T.); (H.D.)
- School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic, 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore 738964, Singapore
| | - Ommer Daffalla
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
| | - Hatim Almutairi
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
| | - Jaber Ghzwani
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
| | - Majhalia Torno
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05-08, Helios Block, Singapore 128667, Singapore; (D.T.); (M.T.); (H.D.)
| | - Omar Mashi
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
| | - Yahya Hobani
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
| | - Huicong Ding
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #06-05-08, Helios Block, Singapore 128667, Singapore; (D.T.); (M.T.); (H.D.)
| | - Abdullah Alamri
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
| | - Khalid Shrwani
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L693BX, UK
| | - Ahmed Albarrag
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zaki Eisa
- Saudi Public Health Authority, Vector-Borne Diseases Laboratory, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia; (O.D.); (H.A.); (J.G.); (O.M.); (Y.H.); (A.A.); (K.S.); (A.A.); (Z.E.)
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Mitochondrial Genomes of the Genus Claassenia (Plecoptera: Perlidae) and Phylogenetic Assignment to Subfamily Perlinae. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12121986. [PMID: 34946934 PMCID: PMC8701382 DOI: 10.3390/genes12121986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial genomes of three stoneflies, e.g., Claassenia magna Wu, 1948, Claassenia sp. 2 and Claassenia xucheni Chen, 2019 were sequenced in this study with 15,774, 15,777 and 15,746 bp in length, respectively. Each mitogenome contained 37 genes including 22 tRNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and a noncoding control region (CR). In general, standard ATN start and TAN termination codons were evident in the PCGs. Although the dihydrouridine arm was absent in trnSer, the remaining 21 tRNAs displayed the characteristic cloverleaf secondary structure. Stem-loop structures were identified in the CRs of all three mitogenomes, but tandem repeats were only apparent in Claassenia xucheni. The mitogenomes of three Claassenia species were analyzed and compared with mitogenomes in 21 other stoneflies from the Perlidae and three Euholognatha species (Rhopalopsole bulbifera, Capnia zijinshana and Amphinemura longispina) as outgroups. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Phylogenetic analysis supported that Claassenia was recovered as the sister group of other Perlinae and Claassenia+Perlinae emerged from the paraphyletic Acroneuriinae. The final results supported that Claassenia was classified into subfamily Perlinae and proposed Claassenia represent a transitional group of the subfamilies Acroneuriinae and Perlinae. This study provided new molecular evidence for exploring the debatable taxonomic position of the genus Claassenia in Perlidae.
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Genomic distinctness despite shared color patterns among threatened populations of a tiger beetle. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01370-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Duran DP, Roman SJ. Description of a new halophilic tiger beetle in the genus Eunota (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae, Cicindelini) identified using morphology, phylogenetics and biogeography. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257108. [PMID: 34644294 PMCID: PMC8513847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tiger beetles are a popular group of insects amongst amateur naturalists, and are well-represented in museum and private collections. New species descriptions plateaued in the 19th century, but there is a recent resurgence of discoveries as integrative taxonomy methods, guided by molecular systematics, uncover "cryptic" tiger beetle diversity. In this paper, we describe a new species using multiple data types. This new species, Eunota mecocheila Duran and Roman n. sp., is in the tribe Cicindelini, and is described from specimens collected in saline muddy ditches in northern Mexico. This species is closely related to E. circumpicta (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841), but is separated based on morphological differences, geographic range, and genetic differentiation. Little is known about the biology or distribution of this species and it has only been collected from two sites in the state of Coahuila. Given the location of this new species, and its genetic divergence from its closest relative, E. circumpicta, we discuss the historical biogeography that may have led to isolation and speciation. The male and female dorsal, lateral and frontal habitus and the male aedeagus are shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Duran
- Department of Environmental Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States of America
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Special Issue: Genetic Basis of Phenotypic Variation in Drosophila and Other Insects. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081212. [PMID: 34440386 PMCID: PMC8392584 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Gwiazdowski RA, Andersen JC, Knisley CB, Griffin BP, Elkinton JS. First Account of Phylogeographic Variation, Larval Characters, and Laboratory Rearing of the Endangered Cobblestone Tiger Beetle Cicindelidia marginipennis , Dejean, 1831 with Observations of Their Natural History. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11100708. [PMID: 33081250 PMCID: PMC7650647 DOI: 10.3390/insects11100708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Tiger beetles (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) are highly predatory and colorful insects of long-standing fascination by entomologists. Most species in this group are in decline from range-wide habitat loss, including those with wide ranges such as the cobblestone tiger beetle (Cicindelidia marginipennis (Dejean, 1831)). This species is considered threatened and/or endangered range-wide, and conservation activities are hindered by a lack of basic information about this species’ biology. Here, we describe new aspects of this species’ basic biology in the lab and the field and use the mitochondrial locus cytochrome oxidase I (COI) to examine biogeographic patterns. We present larval descriptions with detailed drawings and find genetic evidence for geographically structured populations, suggesting that further conservation genetic research is warranted for this species. We expect the new tools and information presented in this paper will allow specialists to test further hypotheses about this species, advance survey methods, and guide proactive tiger beetle conservation. Abstract The cobblestone tiger beetle, Cicindelidia marginipennis (Dejean, 1831) is a North American species specializing in riparian habitats from New Brunswick, Canada, to Alabama in the United States. In the United States, this species is state-listed as threatened or endangered range-wide and periodically receives consideration for federal listing, mostly due to habitat decline. Despite its conservation status, intraspecific genetic diversity for this species has not been explored and little is known about its natural history. To support further inquiry into the biology of C. marginipennis, this study provides the first look at range-wide genetic diversity using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), describes all three larval instars, and describes natural history characteristics from captive rearing and field observation. Based on mtDNA analyses, our results suggest that geographically based population structure may exist throughout the range, with individuals from Alabama possessing haplotypes not found elsewhere in our sampling. Further genetic analyses, particularly multi-locus analyses, are needed to determine whether the Alabama population represents a separate cryptic species. Our morphological analysis and descriptions of larval instars reveal a combination of characteristics that can be used to differentiate C. marginipennis from closely related and co-occurring species. Based on our field observations, we find that the larval “throw pile” of soil excavated from burrows is a key search image for locating larvae, and we provide descriptions and detailed photographs to aid surveys. Lastly, we find that this species can be successfully reared in captivity and provide guidelines to aid future recovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodger A. Gwiazdowski
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA; (J.C.A.); (B.P.G.); (J.S.E.)
- Advanced BioConsulting, LLC., 139 Spring St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Jeremy C. Andersen
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA; (J.C.A.); (B.P.G.); (J.S.E.)
| | - C. Barry Knisley
- Department of Biology, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA 23005, USA;
| | - Brian P. Griffin
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA; (J.C.A.); (B.P.G.); (J.S.E.)
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Joseph S. Elkinton
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA; (J.C.A.); (B.P.G.); (J.S.E.)
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