An integrative approach in the assessment of species delimitation and structure of the Merodon nanus species group (Diptera: Syrphidae)
Creators
- 1. University of Novi Sad, BioSense Institute
Description
The Merodon nanus group (Diptera, Syrphidae) is a small group of closely related species with high morphological similarity. Until now, based on morphological characters, this group consisted of five species: M. nanus Sack, 1931; M. telmateia Hurkmans, 1987; M. kopensisVujić et Hayat, 2015; M. neonanus Vujić et Taylor, 2015; and M. rasicus Vujić et Radenković, 2015. Here, using an integrative approach based on molecular characters (sequences of the D2–3 region of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial COI gene) and data obtained from geometric morphometry of wing shape, we distinguish all five previously morphologically defined species of the group. Additionally, we identify one species as being new to science, M. vladimiri Vujić et Kočiš Tubić sp. n. We emphasize the separation of this newly described species according to the sequences obtained from the slowly evolving 28S rRNA gene, which demonstrated four to five mutation positions between this species and morphologically the most similar M. neonanus species. Also, our results show a clear division of M. telmateia into at least three population groups that we designate as the subspecies: M. telmateia mediterraneusAčanski et Kočiš Tubić subsp. n. and M. telmateia samosensis Ačanski et Kočiš Tubić subsp. n. exhibiting western distributions (western Anatolia and the Greek island of Samos, respectively) and the nominative subspecies M. telmateia telmateia with an eastern Anatolian distribution.
Files
Tubi-_et_al-2018-Organisms_Diversity_&_Evolution.pdf
Files
(2.5 MB)
Name | Size | Download all |
---|---|---|
md5:d1491a50ee954f1cecfba0437fec1ff9
|
2.5 MB | Preview Download |
Additional details
Funding
- Conservation strategy for protected and strictly protected hoverflies (Insecta: Diptera: Syrphidae) species in Serbia – Case study 173002
- Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development