Pruning the Barcode Index Numbers tree: Morphological and genetic evidence clarifies species boundaries in the Eupithecia conterminata complex (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Europe. (30th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scalercio, Stefano; Infusino, Marco; Huemer, Peter; Mutanen, Marko
• Is Part Of: Journal of zoological systematics and evolutionary research. Volume 59:Number 8(2021)
• Page Start: 1962
• Page End: 1981
• Publication Date: 2021-11-30
• Subjects: Abies alba -- cryptic species -- DNA barcoding -- nuclear markers -- Picea abies; Animals -- Classification -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 578.012
• DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-5745

Abstract

Abstract: The Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) are operational species units based on patterns of COI divergences that in most cases correspond to species. It has been repeatedly observed that more than one BIN can be found under the same species name particularly when large geographic scales are considered. One such case concerns Eupithecia conterminata, a species widespread in North European countries and restricted to mountainous regions in the rest of the continent, for which five BINs are found in Europe. In order to solve the question concerning the taxonomic status of these BINs and European populations, we employed an integrated approach by combining classical morphological traits (genitalia and wing markings) with those of molecular data, the latter involving both mitochondrial and nuclear genes. This approach allowed us to recognize two valid species in Europe, E . conterminata, currently known only in Fennoscandia, Baltic countries and Russia, and Eupithecia manniaria sp. rev., with distribution covering Central and South European countries. We furthermore synonymized Eupithecia pindosata syn. nov. from Greece with E . manniaria . The European range of these species and their mitochondrial diversity appear to be coherent with biogeographical histories of their foodplants Picea abies and Abies species. Abstract : Eupithecia conterminata is a geometrid species widespread in North European countries and restricted to mountainous regions in the rest of the continent, for which five mtDNA lineages are found in Europe. To assess their taxonomic status, we combined morphological traits and molecular data. We recognized two valid species, E . conterminata, in northern countries and Eupithecia manniaria sp. rev., in the rest of the continent. Their mitochondrial diversity appears to be coherent with biogeographical histories of their food plants. Astratta: I Barcode Index Number (BINs) sono unità tassonomiche operative basate sui pattern di divergenza del COI che in molti casi corrispondono ad una specie. È stato ripetutamente osservato che più di un BIN può essere trovato sotto uno stesso nome, soprattutto quando vengono considerate ampie scale geografiche. Uno di questi casi riguarda Eupithecia conterminata, diffusa nei paesi dell'Europa settentrionale e limitata alle regioni montuose nel resto del continente, per la quale in Europa sono stati trovati cinque BIN. Per chiarire lo status tassonomico di questi BIN e delle popolazioni europee, in questo lavoro abbiamo usato un approccio integrato che ha combinato caratteri morfologici classici (struttura dei genitali e pattern alare) con dati molecolari, gli ultimi riguardanti sia geni mitocondriali che nucleari. Questo approccio ci ha permesso di confermare la presenza di due specie in Europa, E. conterminata, attualmente conosciuta solo per Fennoscandia, paesi baltici e Russia, e E. manniaria sp. rev. nota per l'Europa centro‐meridionale. Inoltre, abbiamo posto in sinonimia E. pindosata syn. nov. della Grecia con E. manniaria. La distribuzione europea di queste specie e la loro diversità mitocondriale sembra essere coerente con la storia biogeografica delle loro piante nutrici, Picea abies e diverse specie di Abies .