DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e181950

Authors: Aluska Tavares Santos, Isaac Reis Jorge, Marcos Fianco, Aline Sampaio, André Luis Martins, José Albertino Rafael, Andressa Paladini, Paulo Henrique Gorgatti Zarbin

Abstract: Abstract Lamprosomatinae comprises ~250 species in 14 genera and four tribes, yet several Neotropical lineages remain poorly defined due to the absence of comprehensive morphological and molecular assessments. This study provides an integrative taxonomic reassessment of the closely related genera Dorisina, Lamprosoma, and Lychnophaes, including the description of two new species from Brazil. External and internal morphological characters of both sexes are documented with light and scanning electron microscopy, and updated biological information is presented, including host plant records, a newly documented parasitoid association, and distributional data. We also include observations on immatures and natural history traits. The first molecular dataset focused on Neotropical Lamprosomatinae is incorporated to evaluate generic limits and test the monophyly of the focal taxa. Our analyses reveal new insights into tribal-level relationships within Cryptocephalinae, supporting Fulcidacini + Pachybrachini and Clytrini + Cryptocephalini, while Mylassini forms a polytomy with the remaining groups. The monophyly of Lychnophaes could not be confirmed, as it is represented only by Lychnophaes imbirucu sp. nov. Conversely, Lamprosoma is recovered as monophyletic, with Lamprosoma cambuci sp. nov. clustering with two additional unidentified congeners. These results corroborate the relationships proposed by Chamorro and Konstantinov based on morphological data and reinforce the synapomorphies established for the tribe.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e174408

Authors: Shao-Li Mao, Hao Yuan, Xuan-Zeng Liu, Yan-Wen Wang, Lu-Yao Yang, Ya-Fu Zhou

Abstract: Abstract The tribe Meconematini (Meconematinae) is a species-rich lineage whose genus- and species-level classifications remain taxonomically controversial. In this study, we obtained 17 new mitochondrial genomes using high-throughput sequencing and conducted the first comparative genomic and phylogenomic analyses within this tribe. The mitogenomes of Meconematini exhibit conserved structural features typical of Meconematinae, including conserved gene order, pronounced AT bias, and negative GC-skew. Notably, a rare mitochondrial initiation codon (GTG) was identified in the ATP6 gene in Meconematini. Evolutionary analyses indicated that strong purifying selection has dominated the evolution of Meconematini mitogenomes. Phylogenetic reconstructions strongly supported the monophyly of the genera Microconema Liu and Decma Gorochov, as well as the subgenus Eoxizicus Gorochov. In contrast, the genera Phlugiolopsis Zeuner, Xizicus Gorochov, and Xiphidiopsis Redtenbacher were not recovered as monophyletic. Additionally, the phylogenetic results support the recognition of Eoxizicus and Euxiphidiopsis Gorochov as distinct genera. Importantly, mitogenomic divergence patterns were correlated with genitalia structural traits: genera within the proximal clade possess membranous male genitalia (hagloid type), whereas those in more basal clades exhibit partially or fully sclerotized genitalia (tettigonioid or grylloid type). These findings collectively enable the proposal of taxonomic revisions for the non-monophyletic genera and establish a mitogenomic baseline for reconciling morphological convergence with evolutionary relationships in Meconematini.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e174388

Authors: David Honsberger, Gabriela Pérez-Lachaud, Karl N. Magnacca, Jacob Hauʻoli Lorenzo-Elarco, Sandor L. Kelly, Mark G. Wright, Tara D. Gariepy

Abstract: Abstract Despite the recorded presence in Hawai'i of Cephalonomia hyalinipennis, a presumed parasitoid of the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei), it has never been recovered from infested coffee berries. Here we show, using morphometric and molecular data, that what has been recorded in Hawai'i as C. hyalinipennis is actually a complex of morphologically similar species, each distinct from specimens attacking the coffee berry borer in Chiapas, and from the C. hyalinipennis types from Florida. The taxon from Chiapas utilizing the coffee berry borer is also found to be distinct from C. hyalinipennis sensu stricto, and is here described as C. soconuscensis sp. nov. The five species found in Hawai'i are described as Cephalonomia lynnea sp. nov., a parasitoid of Hypothenemus eruditus; Cephalonomia luiji sp. nov.; Cephalonomia liula sp. nov., a parasitoid of a Leptophloeus sp. known to predate on the coffee berry borer; Cephalonomia kala sp. nov.; and Cephalonomia zander sp. nov., a parasitoid of an Ozognathus sp. Laboratory testing showed that C. lynnea has the ability to develop on coffee berry borer larvae, but it does not appear to do so in the wild. In addition to morphological data, DNA barcoding was used to provide further support for distinguishing species in the C. hyalinipennis species complex. The large dataset of morphometric measurements showing reliability of different ratios, and degenerate PCR primers developed to permit assembly of COI barcodes even from old museum specimens, should enable more rapid discernment within such cryptic species complexes in the future.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e181309

Authors: Zhuo Chen, Hu Li, Wanzhi Cai

Abstract: Abstract The thread-legged bug genus Chinemesa Wygodzinsky, 1966 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae: Emesini) is a small group of five species endemic to the Oriental Region. However, the species diversity of this genus is still far from completely explored, especially in the mainland of Asia. Here we describe three new species, C. ornata sp. n., C. pulchella sp. n. and C. weilingfengi sp. n., from southern China. Based on the newly sequenced mitochondrial genomes of four Chinemesa species, we detected two gene rearrangement patterns in the genus: a translocation of trnI and trnQ in all four species, and a loss of trnW in C. pulchella sp. n. Both gene rearrangements are novel within Reduviidae as well as Heteroptera, and can be explained by the tandem duplication-random loss (TDRL) model. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitogenomic datasets recovered the monophyly of Chinemesa, with the translocation of trnI-trnQ as a potential molecular synapomorphy for the genus.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e189518

Authors: Jeremy D. Wilson, Arianna Urso, Michael G. Rix, Erich S. Volschenk, Valentina Cruz Bedón, Mark S. Harvey

Abstract: Abstract The collar-door wishbone spiders of the genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 are an Australian-endemic lineage of mygalomorph spiders that often construct elaborate burrow entrances, including collars and turrets, and remain poorly documented across their range, despite museum collections indicating high local endemism and substantial undescribed diversity. Much of the existing taxonomy, including nine of the 14 currently described species, was based on limited material and lacked modern morphological or molecular approaches to species delimitation, hindering efforts to document the remaining diversity and address conservation concerns. Here, we redescribe all nine legacy species and review Kwonkan diversity within the south-western Western Australian (SWWA) agricultural region, a highly fragmented and mostly cleared landscape harbouring extensive undescribed diversity and the threatened species K. eboracum Main, 1983. In the process, we clarify species identities, present the first molecular data for several species including K. eboracum, and describe two new species (K. elatus sp. nov. and K. yorkrakine sp. nov.) that were previously attributed to legacy species. In our review of the SWWA agricultural region fauna we identify 29 putative undescribed species and a pattern of extensive sympatry, fine-scale species turnover, and extremely restricted ranges. These findings highlight the need for continued revisionary work and potential conservation listing of additional described species such as K. wonganensis (Main, 1977).

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e184638

Authors: Marcin Wiorek, David C. Lees, Niklas Wahlberg, Łukasz Przybyłowicz

Abstract: Abstract In the highly diverse, endemic Madagascan lineage of Syntomini, the “black-and-white” general body pattern appears to be present in a few closely unrelated clades (and in six existing genera), causing uncertainties in their systematics. Based on materials from five natural history collections, we confirm the monophyletic character of the morphologically variable and largely montane genus Tritonaclia Hampson, 1898, with six existing species, inferred from both molecular and morphological evidence. The taxonomy of the genus is revisited, with the description of two new species: T. vonifotsy Wiorek, sp. nov. and T. ombilahy Wiorek & Przybyłowicz, sp. nov.. Naclia melania Oberthür, 1923 syn. nov. is treated as a junior subjective synonym of Glaucopis tollini Keferstein, 1870, and lectotypes of both taxa, now placed in Tritonaclia, are designated. We provide determination keys for the genus, based on adults, and their male and female genitalia. All available data on the distribution and ecology of Tritonaclia species are presented, including new geolocalisation of some important insect collecting places in Madagascar. Additionally, we provide descriptions and illustrations of male scent scales (androconial patches) on fore- and hindwings, present in two Tritonaclia species: T. tollini and T. vonifotsy Wiorek, sp. nov. Such structures are recorded in the tribe Syntomini for the first time.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e186815

Authors: Qing Li, Gregory D. Edgecombe, Chao Jiang

Abstract: Abstract Hainanthereua albilineata gen. nov. et sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on specimens from Hainan Province, China. Morphological examination showed that these specimens belong to Thereuoneminae and share certain similarities with Thereuopodina Verhoeff, 1905. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on five genes (nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA, mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA, and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) indicated that the specimens form a distinct and well-supported clade that is sister group to Thereuonema Verhoeff, 1904, so a new genus is accordingly established. Combining the evolutionary history and biogeographic framework of Thereuoneminae, this study revealed the evolutionary significance of Hainanthereua gen. nov. in the context of the Peninsular Indian Plate as a biotic ferry implicated in the origin of East and Southeast Asian lineages. Morphological similarities between Hainanthereua and Thereuopodina are symplesiomorphies of a clade that includes these two genera, Thereuonema and Thereuopoda Verhoeff, 1904.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e185344

Authors: Jędrzej Warguła, Daniel Stec, Wiktoria Dmuchowska, Michalina Krakowiak, Anastasiia Polishchuk, Magdalena Gawlak, Łukasz Kaczmarek

Abstract: Abstract African tropical forests are highly underexplored regarding microinvertebrate diversity, including tardigrades. Here, we describe two new tardigrade species from the genera Parahypsibius Gąsiorek et al., 2024 and Echiniscus C.A.S. Schultze, 1840, collected in the tropical rainforest of the Kibale National Park in southwestern Uganda. Species delimitation was based on an integrative approach combining morphological, morphometric, and molecular data. Morphological analyses employed light and scanning electron microscopy, while molecular characterization used mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1, and ITS2 markers. Additionally, we report Echiniscus lineatus Pilato, Fontoura, Lisi and Beasley, 2008 from Uganda for the first time, providing new sequences and reconstructing haplotype networks using previously published genetic data of this species. Phylogenetic analyses of subfamily Hypsibiinae Pilato, 1969 and genus Echiniscus clarify the relationships of the new taxa and place them within the broader phylogenetic context. Our study highlights the underestimated diversity of African tardigrades and demonstrates the importance of integrative taxonomy for species delineation. The new records from Kibale National Park provide also baseline data for understanding the distribution and phylogeny of tardigrades of the Central Africa.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e181294

Authors: Oscar M. Quispe-Colca, Nelson E. Ferretti, Juan C. Chaparro, José A. Ochoa, Rick C. West

Abstract: Abstract Recent field campaigns conducted in Peru along with the examination of museum specimens allowed us to identify small tarantulas that do not fit with any known Theraphosidae genera. Morphology and additional molecular evidence from the mitochondrial gene COI led us to propose Kiskalla gen. nov. from southern Peru, at Puno region. Three new species of Kiskalla gen. nov. (K. ignacioi sp. nov., K. yeisoni sp. nov. and K. zukuapasanka sp. nov.) are herein described, diagnosed and illustrated. Kiskalla gen. nov. differs from the known Theraphosinae genera in the presence of lateral stripes on the abdomen and a small dorsal arrowhead-shaped patch of type III urticating setae, presence of a large number of spines on all legs, short and stout setae on the dorsal metatarsi encircling the filiform trichobothria, an apical crown of long spines on the metatarsi of all legs in both sexes and scopula of tarsi IV slightly developed, restricted to the margins due to the presence of long ventral setae. Males and females show genitalic features that resemble those of Hapalotremus Simon, 1903, but differ by the development of copulatory bulb keels and the aspect of the spermathecae. We also present data on the natural history and distribution of the species.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e164719

Authors: Feng-E Li, Lin Yang, Jian-Kun Long, Zhi-Min Chang, Xiang-Sheng Chen

Abstract: Abstract The treehopper genus Tricentrus is a widespread group of insects, characterized by typical spines and, in some species, sexually dimorphic suprahumeral horns. With 238 described species worldwide, Tricentrus represents the most species-rich genus in the subfamily Centrotinae. Currently, 72 species are documented in China, yet the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of this genus remain unknown. Here, we use an integrative approach to characterize and describe these treehoppers based on materials collected from China. We name three new species: Tricentrus allochrous Li & Chen sp. nov. and Tricentrus pianmaensis Li & Chen sp. nov. from Yunnan, Tricentrus dexingensis Li & Chen sp. nov. from Xizang, with the revision of one synonym. Combined analysis morphological comparisons, species delimitation and phylogeny reliably separate these new species from known species, and sexual dimorphism with suprahumeral horns in three species is reported for the first time. Divergence time estimation indicates that the Tricentrus differentiated during the Early Cretaceous (110.41 Mya). Ancestral state reconstruction reveals that the most recent common ancestor possessed suprahumeral horns in both sexes and exhibited a short tubular pygofer apex. Our analyses demonstrate four evolutionary transformations in pygofer apex morphology and seven distinct transitions in suprahumeral horn development. These morphological diversifications likely resulted from multiple mechanisms, including sexual selection, life history strategies with associated behavioral adaptations, and incomplete lineage sorting.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e176700

Authors: Jonas Eberle, Raphael Schallegger, Derek S. Sikes, Michel Lebel, Roland Gerstmeier

Abstract: Abstract The North American checkered beetle (Cleridae) Thanasimus nubilus Klug, 1842 is currently listed as a subspecies of Thanasimus undatulus (Say, 1835). We test the species status of T. nubilus by investigation of DNA barcodes and morphological measurements of multiple specimens of each of the two taxa as well as of multiple specimens of two additional North American species of the genus. We use four species delimitation methods based on gene tree and clustering algorithms (barcode gap threshold clustering, Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning [ASAP], and single and multi-rate Poisson Tree Processes [mPTP]). Evidence from mtDNA clearly supported treating these two subspecies as distinct species which was also supported by a morphometric analysis. We therefore propose Thanasimus nubilus Klug, 1842 stat. rev. to be reinstated as a valid species.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e179328

Authors: José Ricardo Assmann Lemes, Ricardo Russo Siewert, Olaf Hermann Hendrik Mielke, Mirna Martins Casagrande, Andrew David Warren

Abstract: The taxonomy of the subgenus Staphylus (Capilla) is reviewed, including redescriptions of known species, identification keys, and detailed distribution maps. The female genitalia of Staphylus (Capilla) azteca (Scudder, 1872), S. (C.) caribbea (Williams & Bell, 1940), S. (C.) corumba (Williams & Bell, 1940), S. (C.) eryx Evans, 1953, S. (C.) tucumanus (Plötz, 1884) and S. (C.) tyro (Mabille, 1878) are described and illustrated for the first time. Four new species are described: Staphylus (Capilla) nicoleae Lemes sp. nov. from Colombia and Venezuela, S. (C.) ricardoi Lemes, sp. nov. from Peru, S. (C.) neideae Lemes sp. nov. and S. (C.) neivae sp. nov. from Brazil. Pholisora imperspicua Hayward, 1940 is a syn. nov. of Staphylus (C.) lizeri lizeri (Hayward, 1938) and Hesperia melangon epicaste Mabille, 1903 is a syn. nov. of Staphylus (C.) melangon melangon (Mabille, 1883). Neotypes are designated for Staphylus epicaste Mabille, 1903, Nisoniades tucumanus Plötz, 1884 and Staphylus fascia Hayward, 1933. Lectotypes are designated for Pholisora azteca Scudder, 1872, Bolla machuca Schaus, 1913, Helias tyro Mabille, 1878, Staphylus anginus Schaus, 1902, Hesperia melangon 1883, Hesperia musculus Burmeister, 1875 and Helias aurocapilla Staudinger, 1876.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e174748

Authors: Guanliang Meng, Leonardo S. Carvalho, Lars Podsiadlowski, Bernhard A. Huber

Abstract: Pholcid spiders have long been classified into five subfamilies, and this framework ultimately dates back to Eugène Simon’s non-phylogenetic system of 1893. While subfamily relationships and compositions have been updated extensively over the last decades, no new subfamily had to be erected for any of the hundreds of new species newly described since Simon. Here we report two new species from semi-arid Brazilian Caatinga: Caipira mineira Huber sp. nov., and Caipira baiana Huber sp. nov. Genomic data strongly support their sister-group relationship; we thus join them conservatively in a single genus, Caipira Huber gen. nov., even though they show some remarkable morphological differences. This genus is sister to a large clade including all pholcid subfamilies except Pholcinae and Smeringopinae, which necessitates the erection of a new subfamily: Caipirinae subfam. nov. In addition, we formalize the separation of the genus Artema from ‘other Arteminae’. This had previously been suggested by multi-locus genetic data, and is strongly supported by new genomic data. Arteminae is newly circumscribed to include only Artema and Priscula, and the name Physocyclinae subfam. nov. is proposed for ‘other Arteminae’. Pholcidae is thus divided into seven subfamilies, with the following relationships suggested by genomic data: (Pholcinae, Smeringopinae), (Caipirinae, ((Arteminae, Ninetinae), (Physocyclinae, Modisiminae))). Finally, we tested the hypothesis that the Chilean genus Aucana is the closest relative of the new Brazilian species. This is strongly rejected; Aucana is resolved as the only known South American representative of Physocyclinae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e161376

Authors: Anna A. Namyatova, Polina A. Dzhelali, Darya S. Bolshakova

Abstract: Apolygus (Insecta: Heteroptera: Miridae: Mirinae) is a large and taxonomically challenging trans-Palearctic genus comprising 74 species, and it has never been revised. The greatest diversity of this genus occurs in Asia, and 15 species have been recorded from Russia. Among them, Apolygus limbatus, Apolygus lucorum, and Apolygus spinolae are trans-Palearctic, and A. lucorum and A. spinolae are economically important as pests. Previous studies have shown that A. lucorum and A. spinolae are very similar in morphology and that the barcoding region might not be suitable for their identification. In this study a revision of the Apolygus representatives inhabiting Russia is provided based on morphological and molecular data. Mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and nuclear markers (ITS1 and 28S3 rRNA) were used for phylogenetic analyses and automatic species delimitation methods were applied. Apolygus lucorum, A. malaisei, A. nigronasutus, A. nigrovirens were treated as junior synonyms of A. spinolae because morphological and molecular data did not show differences between those species. Apolygus shikotan sp. nov. was described as new to science. Morphological data and the COI phylogeny show that A. limbatus might represent two separate species. However, additional specimens and nuclear markers for both groups are needed to test this hypothesis. The synonymy of A. syringae with A. hilaris was supported based on the morphological data. Apolygus gotorum and A. subhilaris are reported from Russia for the first time. The nuclear marker ITS1 is the most reliable marker for species delimitation and identification of Apolygus species.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e162008

Authors: Sumeyra Nur Sanal Demirci, Volkan Kılıç, Serap Mutun, A. Yavuz Kılıç

Abstract: Tabanus bifarius Loew, 1858 is a horsefly species distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and in the areas of central and southeastern Europe and partly in Asia. In this study, we conducted the first comprehensive phylogeographic and population genetic analysis of T. bifarius collected from 13 localities across Türkiye and Iran, through utilizing mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear DNA (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) markers. A total of 81 haplotypes and 59 nuclear alleles were identified among 187 sequenced individuals. Both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA patterns and diversity observed in T. bifarius are indicative of complex historical and demographic processes. Among all the populations studied, Eskişehir and Hatay exhibited the highest genetic diversity, which may be due to the region’s topography and transitional zones. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that T. bifarius split from the outgroup species approximately 5.53 million years ago (MYA) during the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene, likely driven by tectonic and climatic events. Subsequent diversification events that occurred during times of climatic and environmental fluctuations in the Late Pliocene and Early Pleistocene also seemed to have significantly affected the species and gave rise to the formation of some important genetic lineages. Our analyses results indicate that T. bifarius exhibits a structured genetic landscape shaped by multiple refugial routes, geographic barriers, and Quaternary climatic oscillations. Further, our findings suggest that the species likely entered Anatolia through three distinct routes: (1) from the Levant region into southern Anatolia via Hatay; (2) from the Caucasus into northeastern Anatolia through Ardahan; and (3) from the Iranian Plateau into eastern Anatolia via Van.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.84.e153168

Authors: Xu-Hong-Yi Zheng, Yong Qin, Zhi-Teng Chen

Abstract: The genus Hexarthrius Hope, 1842, a prominent member of the family Lucanidae, is widely distributed across southern Asia and includes some of the largest stag beetle species in the world. This study presents the first mitogenomic phylogeny for Hexarthrius and its related genera, using complete mitogenomes from all recognized Hexarthrius species and representatives of all known related genera; 23 mitogenomes are reported here for the first time. We identified two novel mitochondrial gene rearrangements in Hexarthrius and its relative genus Rhaetulus Westwood, 1871, with implications for mitogenome evolution in Lucanidae. Phylogenetic inference and molecular dating recover Hexarthrius as monophyletic and subdivided into two well-supported clades: a Himalayan clade and a Tropical clade, which diverged approximately 8.9 million years ago. Rhaetus Parry, 1864 is inferred as the sister group to Hexarthrius, whereas Rhaetulus occupies a basal position within the larger Hexarthrius clade. Ancestral-area and morphological reconstructions indicate a complex history of vicariance and dispersal associated with uplift of the Hengduan–Himalayan region and subsequent island isolations. These results clarify species relationships, biogeography, and morphological evolution within this emblematic beetle lineage.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e158227

Authors: Ana Lucia Henriques-Oliveira, Jorge Luiz Nessimian, Daniela Maeda Takiya, Allan Paulo Moreira Santos

Abstract: Triplectides Kolenati, 1859 (Leptoceridae) is the most diverse genus within Triplectidinae, with about 90 species worldwide, 18 of them in the Neotropics. Currently, eleven species are recorded from Brazil. Since Holzenthal’s 1988 revision, many additional specimens have become available, leading to a significantly broader known distribution for several Brazilian species of Triplectides. Consequently, the morphological boundaries between some species have become less distinct. Furthermore, despite the ecological importance of caddisfly larvae, the immature stages of only a few Brazilian species have been described to date. The present study has the following aims: to evaluate Triplectides species boundaries using morphology and DNA sequences (COI and EF-1α); describe probable new species; and use DNA-based life stages associations to recognize and describe larvae at the species level. We delimited and formally described seven new species of Triplectides: T. bandeira sp. nov., T. caparaoensis sp. nov., T. cerradoensis sp. nov., T. iguassu sp. nov., T. mantiqueira sp. nov., T. paragracilis sp. nov., and T. puri sp. nov. Additionally, we successfully associated adult males with the immature larval stages of seven Brazilian species, including both newly described and previously known species of Triplectides, for which we provide morphological descriptions.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e171454

Authors: Josemária Silva de França, Bruno Cavalcante Bellini, Nerivânia Nunes Godeiro, Nikolas Gioia Cipola

Abstract: Rhynchocyrtus Mendonça and Fernandes, 2007 is a monotypic genus of Entomobryidae, endemic to Brazil. Its placement within the Lepidocyrtinae and its systematic affinities with other members of the subfamily, especially with the subgenera of Lepidocyrtus Bourlet, 1839, have never been tested before. Here, we described the morphology and mitogenome of a new species of Rhynchocyrtus from the northeastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Rhynchocyrtus cleideae sp. nov. holotype female deposited in CC/UFRN: Brazil, Rio Grande do Norte State, Natal municipality), depicting for the first time the dorsal trunk chaetal pattern, homology and body pseudopores distribution for the genus. The new species description provided further data which we used to update the genus diagnosis, following the current standards used for other Entomobryidae. We also evaluated the phylogenetic placement of the genus within Lepidocyrtinae, testing its affinities with different subgenera of Lepidocyrtus. Our results point to Rhynchocyrtus as an ingroup of Neotropical Setogaster Salmon, 1951 subgenus, and not related to Cinctocyrtus Yoshii and Suhardjono, 1989 as previously suspected. Setogaster is likely a paraphyletic taxon, suggesting that some features currently used to separate Lepidocyrtus subgenera do not hold phylogenetic signal, and should be reevaluated. We discuss the problematic systematics of Lepidocyrtinae and reinforce the usefulness of some alternative morphological traits to better define its subgroups, based on the current knowledge of the group.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e147402

Authors: Qing-Bo Huo, Xiao Yang, Abdur Rehman, Yu-Zhou Du

Abstract: The phylogenetic relationship of Perlodidae is presented in this paper based on mitochondrial genomes with different matrix (PCG, PCGR, PCG12, PCG12R). This study includes molecular data from seven genera and seven species, including three rare genera and five species from China. The results show that the monophyly of subfamilies and tribes of Perlodidae is well supported, as well as that Perlodinae and Isoperlinae diverged from a common ancestor at the same time, while the split between Arcynopterygini and Perlodini + Diploperlini occurred after the split between the two subfamiles. A discussion of the origin and migration of the Holarctic and Palearctic-Oriental perlodid genera is provided in this paper.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e166986

Authors: Gideon Pisanty, Rémi Santerre, Teresa Martin, Sophie Cardinal, Thomas J. Wood

Abstract: Andrena (Micrandrena) Ashmead is the largest subgenus of Andrena Fabricius 1775, with more than 150 species distributed throughout the northern hemisphere. The subgenus has gained notoriety as one of the most difficult taxonomic groups of bees, and remains poorly studied across large parts of the Palaearctic region. Based on extensive collecting in Israel, Lebanon and Cyprus, together with efficient DNA barcoding and and re-examination of old museum material, we present a thorough revision of the species of A. (Micrandrena) occuring in the region of the Levant (Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) and the island of Cyprus, including a detailed identification key, and a summary of our knowledge of the distribution, phenology and foraging biology of each taxon. Our study enumerates forty-two species of Andrena (Micrandrena) from the Levant and Cyprus, including four species new to the region, and nine species new to science: Andrena aphroditae Pisanty sp. nov., A. alshaykh Pisanty sp. nov., A. aspera Pisanty & Wood sp. nov., A. chananaea Pisanty & Wood sp. nov., A. friedmani Pisanty sp. nov., A. hebraica Pisanty & Wood sp. nov., A. kugleri Pisanty sp. nov., A. libanica Wood sp. nov., and A. phoenicia Pisanty sp. nov. We describe the males of A. calandra Warncke, 1975 and A. lindbergella Pittioni, 1950 for the first time. We additionally synonymise Andrena dargia Warncke, 1965 with A. minutula (Kirby, 1802) syn. nov., and recognise two previously subspecific names as valid species: Andrena leptura Warncke, 1974 stat. nov. and A. povolnyi, 1974 Warncke stat. nov.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e145082

Authors: Yuchen Zheng, Yuezheng Tu, Davide Badano, Xingyue Liu

Abstract: Abstract Layahima Navás, 1912 is the most diverse antlion genus of the tribe Acanthoplectrini (Myrmeleontidae: Dendroleontinae) endemic to the Oriental region, currently comprising 12 species. However, the species diversity of this genus is still far from completely explored, and its larval stage is poorly known. Here, we describe four new species of Layahima, i.e., L. haohani sp. nov., L. qilin sp. nov., L. pixiu sp. nov., and L. zhitengi sp. nov., from Southwest China. Moreover, we describe the larval stages of three Layahima species, i.e., L. chiangi Banks, 1941, L. lhoba Zheng, Badano, Liu, 2023, and L. yangi Wan & Wang, 2006. The precise distribution of L. chiangi, whose type locality was previously unclear, has now been clarified to be exclusively restricted to the Nujiang dry hot river valley around Cawarong, Xizang. The phylogeny of Layahima by adding new species herein reported was inferred based on molecular data. The L. zonata group, once considered monophyletic, was recovered as paraphyletic within Layahima.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e164315

Authors: Felipe Francisco Barbosa, André Silva Roza, José Ricardo M. Mermudes, Michael F. Geiser, Jiri Hodecek, Lara-Sophie Dey, Michael A. Ivie, Viridiana Vega-Badillo, Vinicius S. Ferreira, Robin Kundrata

Abstract: Abstract Phengodidae, or railroad-worm beetles, are bioluminescent soft-bodied beetles with flight capable adult males and highly paedomorphic larviform females. They are well accepted as part of the “lampyroid” clade within Elateroidea, and their suprageneric relationships have been recently studied using a phylogenomic approach. However, the placement of taxa currently classified in the subfamily Penicillophorinae remained untested. Penicillophorinae form an assemblage of morphologically modified, rarely collected Neotropical genera that are unique among Phengodidae. They are particularly characterized by their moniliform, serrate or uniramose antennae, in contrast to the typically bipectinate antennae present in all other members of the family. To investigate the phylogenetic position of Penicillophorinae, we implemented a low-coverage whole genome sequencing approach to produce genomic data for Acladocera and Walterius, two out of five genera classified in this subfamily. The resulting phylogenomic analyses confirmed the monophyly of Phengodidae; however, Penicillophorinae were not found as a monophyletic group. Our results recovered the topology: Cydistinae + (Phengodinae + (Acladocera + (Cenophenginae + Mastinocerinae including Walterius))). Therefore, we suggest that the antennal double rami were lost at least twice among Phengodidae: once in the newly circumscribed Mastinocerinae (with Walterius), and once in Acladocera, which we tentatively keep in Penicillophorinae. Further, we discuss the morphological modifications of other genera currently classified in Penicillophorinae. Future phylogenomic research should focus on clarifying the boundaries and composition of phengodid subfamilies, particularly by including additional genera from Penicillophorinae and Mastinocerinae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e144844

Authors: Kirstern Lica Follmann Haseyama, Claudio José Barros de Carvalho, Elaine Della Giustina Soares, Silvio Shigueo Nihei

Abstract: Abstract Polietina is a genus of Muscidae found in the New World, particularly in the Neotropical region. The genus is currently classified within the subfamily Muscinae and consists of 15 species whose phylogenetic relationships have been previously studied using morphological data. In our study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on 37 morphological characters sourced from the literature and eight molecular markers (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, cytochrome C oxidase subunit I, cytochrome b, region 4 of carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase-aspartate transcarbamoylase dihydroorotase, and elongation factor 1-ɑ), totaling 5366 characters. We obtained molecular data for eight species of the genus and four outgroup taxa from original sequencing and public repositories. We used Bayesian posterior probabilities to estimate the topology, as follows: (P. flavidicincta ((P. rubella (P. concina (P. wulpi, P. orbitalis))) (P. steini ((P. flavithorax (P. ponti, Polietina sp.)) (P. major (P. prima (P. bicolor (P. minor (P. univittata, Polietina sp.))))))))). The reciprocal monophyly of all species for which more than one identified sequence was available is supported by our results. Our analysis largely supports the previously published hypotheses regarding the phylogeny of Polietina. However, major differences were observed between the locations of P. flavidicincta and P. flavithorax. Additionally, we discuss the identity of unidentified Polietina specimens with sequences published in GenBank or new sequences produced as part of our study.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e150460

Authors: Daniele Camarda, Oscar Lisi, Daniel Stec, Matteo Vecchi

Abstract: Abstract A new tardigrade taxon, Thulyphoribius melitense gen. nov. et sp. nov. is described from a population of limnic tardigrades collected in the sediment of a temporary pond in Malta. Those habitats, characterized by fluctuating environmental conditions and ephemeral water availability, provide a particularly challenging setting that can drive morphological and genetic diversity in aquatic microfauna. The new genus shows a unique combination of morphological characters, including distinctive morphologies of the peribuccal region, a short and wide ventral lamina and Pseudobiotus-type claws. Although it shares certain traits with some extant genera, the presence of unique characters combinations, precludes its assignment to any of the previously established genera. A comprehensive investigation was conducted, including morphological (using Phase-Contrast Light Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy), morphometric, and molecular analysis. In the latter context, the molecular markers 18S, 28S, COI, and ITS2 were sequenced, and the complete mitochondrial genome was obtained and characterized, offering important insights for future molecular studies of tardigrades. Phylogenetic analyses based on Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods, incorporating the four aforementioned molecular markers, indicate that the new genus belongs to the superfamily Isohypsibioidea, yet it does not cluster within any currently recognized extant family of tardigrades. Collectively, these findings underscore the relevance of investigating underexplored habitats and highlight the potential for discovering novel evolutionary lineages among limnic microinvertebrates that inhabit temporary ponds.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e153226

Authors: Emma Kärrnäs, Christer Hansson, Niklas Wahlberg

Abstract: Abstract Despite their ecological and economic importance as key regulators of insect populations worldwide, eulophid wasps remain one of the taxonomically most neglected groups of insects. As these minute parasitoid wasps exhibit an astonishing species diversity while being challenging to identify, relying on morphological characters alone has long been problematic. By using large-scale barcoding and molecular species delimitation analyses of 909 specimens, of which 641 were of European origin, we reveal a remarkable diversity of cryptic species in the two eulophid wasp genera Oomyzus Rondani and Quadrastichus Girault (Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) present in Europe. We also present 40 new country records for 17 species and greatly improve the existing DNA barcode libraries of these two groups. Using the four different species delimitation methods ABGD, ASAP, GMYC and mPTP, the number of potentially undescribed European species detected in this study ranges from 20 to 34, of which 16 to 24 are cryptic. These results suggest that not even half of the European Oomyzus and Quadrastichus species are currently known, thus highlighting the need for further taxonomic work. However, the results also highlight issues with molecular species delimitations based on barcode data, such as incongruence across different analysis methods and potential barcode sharing between closely related species. Therefore, the results also challenge the validity of relying on a single molecular marker when detecting and subsequently describing new species, an increasing practise within modern taxonomy termed “turbo-taxonomy”.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e152943

Authors: Álvaro Laborda, Miguel Simó, Luis N. Piacentini, Antonio D. Brescovit, Carolina Beloso, Anita Aisenberg, Miquel A. Arnedo, Martín J. Ramírez, Leticia Bidegaray-Batista

Abstract: Abstract The wolf spiders of the subfamily Allocosinae are known for their complex taxonomy, especially in the Neotropical region. Despite previous taxonomic and phylogenetic studies, the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the subfamily remain largely unknown. This study aims to clarify the evolutionary relationships within South American Allocosinae, hypothesizing a greater diversity than currently recognized and seeking to resolve ambiguities in genus-level classification. We used a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences to construct phylogenetic analyses for 73 specimens across 13 species of Allocosinae. Analyses using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian frameworks were conducted to examine internal relationships and phylogenetic structure and to infer a timeline of diversification. Additionally, species delimitation was conducted to identify cryptic lineages. Our results recover the specimens considered to be representatives of the subfamily Allocosinae as a monophyletic group, and identified five major clades. Divergence time estimates suggested Allocosinae originated in the Early Miocene (15–22 million years ago), and underwent significant diversification during the Pleistocene. Species delimitation analysis based on single markers uncovered 24 lineages, indicating potentially overlooked species. Allocosinae has shown to be an interesting group to study incipient speciation processes, ecology of coastal environments and atypical behaviors such as sex role reversal. Knowing and understanding the evolutionary history and relationships within the subfamily is necessary for progress in its study in any field of biology.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e153079

Authors: Edvanda A. Souza-Carvalho, Célio Magalhães, Fabrício L. Carvalho, Fernando L. Mantelatto

Abstract: Abstract The generic system of the Neotropical crabs of the subfamily Trichodactylinae H. Milne Edwards, 1853 has remained quite stable over the last 30 years, but the recognition or not of the genus Mikrotrichodactylus Pretzmann, 1968 has been a matter of debate: erected as a subgenus, it was treated with generic status in Rodríguez’ classificatory system but some subsequent works considered it a junior synonym of Trichodactylus Latreille, 1828. Based on this scenario, an integrative analysis based on molecular (using two mitochondrial, 16S rRNA and COI, and one nuclear, Histone 3, genes) and morphological (using diagnostic characters traditionally used on the identification of the family) data was performed in order to clarify the phylogenetic position of the genera within Trichodactylinae. The inferred phylogeny recovered three great lineages within Trichodactylinae with high support values in both Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses, corroborated the non-monophyletic status of Trichodactylus, and confirmed the full generic status of Mikrotrichodactylus. A taxonomic rearrangement of Trichodactylinae is proposed but the positioning of “Trichodactylus” quinquedentatus Rathbun, 1893 remains doubtful and was treated herein as a taxon inquirendum et incertae sedis. This taxon seems to be closer related to Rodriguezia Bott, 1969, and Avotrichodactylus Pretzmann, 1968; however, more data are needed before additional taxonomic adjustments concerning its positioning within the subfamily is proposed. In the current proposal, Trichodactylus is composed by four species, Mikrotrichodactylus by six species, Avotrichodactylus and Rodriguezia by three each, in addition to “Trichodactylus” quinquedentatus.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e138238

Authors: Mattia Ragazzini, Roy M. J. C. Kleukers, Luc Willemse, Baudewijn Ode, Lara-Sophie Dey, Oliver Hawlitschek

Abstract: The Mediterranean Basin, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, harbors a remarkable diversity of grasshoppers, katydids, and crickets, many of which are endemic and potentially contain cryptic lineages. In this study, we generated a comprehensive dataset comprising 1,441 barcodes from 270 identified species within the Ensifera and Caelifera suborders. These were combined with existing data to form a dataset of 2,606 barcodes representing 351 species. We employed Maximum Likelihood (ML) topology reconstruction and applied five species delimitation methods (BIN, ABGD, ASAP, GMYC, and PTP) to detect potential incongruences between Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and existing taxonomic classifications. Our analysis revealed that OTUs delimited by these methods corresponded to 71.39% of the evaluated species, with a notably higher congruence in Ensifera (88.53%) compared to Caelifera (52.15%). Across the dataset, we identified 54 lineages comprising cryptic species, indicating significant unrecognized diversity within these groups. Additionally, 21 instances of species being merged into consensus OTUs were observed, suggesting either the need for taxonomic revision or highlighting the limitations of current genetic markers. Among the methods tested, ABGD, particularly with the Kimura two-parameter model, was the most consistent with traditional taxonomy, yielding the highest consensus rates. In contrast, the PTP method exhibited the lowest consensus, often leading to an oversplitting of lineages. These findings underscore the complexity of species delimitation in recently radiated taxa and emphasize the importance of using multiple methodologies to accurately capture biodiversity, especially in regions characterized by a high prevalence of cryptic species.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e137073

Authors: Hoi-Sen Yong, Sze-Looi Song, Kah-Ooi Chua, Yvonne Jing Mei Liew, I. Wayan Suana, Phaik-Eem Lim, Kok-Gan Chan, Praphathip Eamsobhana

Abstract: The complete mitogenomes of fruit flies Zeugodacus (Javadacus) calumniatus, Z. (Javadacus) heinrichi and Z. (Sinodacus) hochii have similar gene order and contain 37 genes and a non-coding region. They share an identical start codon for the respective protein-coding genes (PCGs), an identical TAA stop codon for 11 PCGs, TAG for cob, and an incomplete T stop codon for nad5. The cloverleaf structure of most of the tRNAs is similar in the three Zeugodacus species. Phylogenetic analyses reveal Z. (Parasinodacus) cilifer to be external to two main clades: (A) monophyletic subgenus Zeugodacus; and (B) subgenera Javadacus and Sinodacus. The present results indicate that the taxonomic status of some taxa needs clarification. Z. calumniatus is genetically very similar to Z. tau and is not congruent with its current placement in the munda complex. Z. mukiae NC_067083 is genetically very similar to Z. scutellaris, but differs significantly from Z. mukiae MG683384 of the arisanicus (arisanica) complex. On the other hand, Z. proprediaphorus is genetically distinct from and not a synonym of Z. diaphorus. Z. caudatus sensu stricto from Indonesia forms a sister lineage with Z. diversus, instead of with the Malaysian and Chinese taxa of Z. caudatus sensu lato. A notable incongruence is the sister lineage of Z. (Sinodacus) hochii and Z. (Javadacus) heinrichi among other taxa of subgenus Javadacus. A more extensive taxon sampling, particularly the subgenus Sinodacus (and other subgenera), is needed to clarify/resolve their subgenus status.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e143543

Authors: Jesús Gómez-Zurita, Anabela Cardoso

Abstract: In this work, we use a combined analysis of morphological and mtDNA sequence data to recognize and revise a group of species allied to the New Caledonian endemic leaf beetle genus Cazeresia Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2005 of the Eumolpinae, considered monotypic before this work. We characterize and describe 20 new species allied to C. montana Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2005 based on the recognition of morphological diagnostic traits and DNA-based species delimitation: C. australis sp. nov., C. clipeata sp. nov., C. corrugata sp. nov., C. globosa sp. nov., C. gracilis sp. nov., C. holosericea sp. nov., C. imperiosa sp. nov., C. impressicornis sp. nov., C. laevigata sp. nov., C. laticollis sp. nov., C. maquis sp. nov., C. ovata sp. nov., C. parentalis sp. nov., C. petitpierrei sp. nov., C. robusta sp. nov., C. spadicea sp. nov., C. subgeminata sp. nov., C. tibialis sp. nov., C. tricolor sp. nov. and C. wanati sp. nov. For C. globosa and C. spadicea we additionally describe the subspecies C. globosa altitudinalis ssp. nov. and C. spadicea bruna ssp. nov. We also propose transferring to this genus the species Thasycles humboldtiana Heller, 1916, Colaspis kanalensis Perroud, 1864, Dematochroma thyiana Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2008 and Dumbea striata Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2007, as C. humboldtiana (Heller) comb. nov., C. kanalensis (Perroud) comb. nov., C. thyiana (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov. and C. striata (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov., respectively. At present, the genus Cazeresia includes 25 species, the vast majority distributed in the southern part of Grande Terre in areas characterized by ultramafic soils and we speculate that the adaptation to these environmental characteristics in lowland areas may be ancestral in this lineage. Two thirds of the species are only known from their type locality, thus treated as potential microendemics, and most other have reduced ranges generally spanning few tens of kilometres. Finally, the degree of species sympatry or parapatry exhibited by Cazeresia is noteworthy, which in the absence of marked morphological differences among species suggests the possibility of the interplay of ecological mechanisms to minimize competition and exclusion.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e136516

Authors: Onur Uluar, Dragan P. Chobanov, Battal Çıplak

Abstract: A taxonomical practice without integration of systematics remains incomplete or produces incorrect definitions. To address this, we linked the taxonomy of the Poecilimon zonatus group to its systematics by examining its phylogeny and phylogeography. We used both mitochondrial and nuclear genes representing all species except P. varicornis. The mitochondrial matrix was subjected to phylogenetic analyses and species delimitation tests while phylogenetic signals in the nuclear data were assessed via haplotype network. Species delimitation tests suggested 12–16 species and the genetically divergent lineages were examined for phenotypic disparity. The results led to the following conclusions. (i) after the nomenclatural changes made here, P. zonatus group consists of 13 species, two of which are polytypic; P. salmani Sevgili syn. nov. is synonymized with P. ciplaki; the subspecies P. ciplaki denizliensis Kaya and P. zonatus datca Sevgili, Sirin, Heller & Lemonnier-Darcemont are elevated to species level as P. denizliensis Kaya stat. nov. and P. datca Sevgili, Sirin, Heller & Lemonnier-Darcemont stat. nov., respectively; P. boncukdagensis sp. nov., P. parazonatus sp. nov. and P. anisozonatus sp. nov., are described as new species, and P. datca montana subsp. nov. and P. denizliensis kizildagi subsp. nov. as new subspecies, (ii) the common ancestor of species corresponds to Mid Pleistocene Transition, suggesting the major climatic turnovers as the main evolutionary driver, (iii) the isolated relict ancestors on highlands evolved under similar selection pressures leading to a conserved phenotype, consequently, to limited morphological divergence despite their genetic differences; (iv) although morphological diagnosability is poor, each species meets the criteria of several species concepts.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e137570

Authors: Max Kasparek, Mira Boustani

Abstract: The distribution of the anthidiine bee identified as Anthidium undulatum Dours, 1873 extends from the French Mediterranean coastal region across the Adriatic coast and the eastern Mediterranean to the Caucasus and Iran. Examination of the DNA sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene (“barcoding unit”) of 25 specimens from throughout the distributional range revealed the existence of three distinct clades, which are clearly separated with bootstrap values of 99% and 100% in a Maximum Likelihood Analysis. The genetic distance between these groups ranged from 2.6 to 5.0%, while the intra-group distance did not exceed 0.42%. Two of these clades were found to occur in the same habitat in Lebanon. These three clades also differ in some phenotypic color traits, which, however, are not always fully diagnostic. Despite this, a morphometric analysis of six parameters of the head and wings of the males showed that the three genetic clades also form distinct clusters in a Discriminant Function Analysis. The consistent results of the genetic and morphometric analyses, together with the co-existence of two of the three groups, support the recognition of these groups as distinct species. The three taxa recognized at the species level are: A. undulatum Dours, 1873, which has a wide distribution in the Mediterranean and extends eastwards to Iran; A. wahrmani Mavromoustakis, 1948 stat. nov., which is found in the southern Levant; and A. libanicum Kasparek sp. nov., which is known only from Lebanon, and where it seems to be endemic. The results confirm the high diversity of anthidiine bees in the eastern Mediterranean and indicate that the species richness may be much higher than currently known. The sympatric occurrence of genetically and morphometrically distinct forms within the same habitat is considered strong evidence that these are distinct cryptic species, rather than variations arising from local geographic or environmental adaptations.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e147854

Authors: Ivan L. F. Magalhaes, Abel Pérez-González, Facundo M. Labarque, Martín Carboni, Jörg U. Hammel, Robin Kunz, Martín J. Ramírez, Mónica M. Solórzano-Kraemer

Abstract: In our previous contribution, “Revision of recluse spiders (Araneae: Sicariidae: Loxosceles) preserved in Dominican amber and a total-evidence phylogeny of Scytodoidea reveal the first fossil Drymusidae” (Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 80, 2022, 541–559), Table 1 was inadvertently missing from the final published version. It is included in the present Corrigendum.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e142332

Authors: Xiaozhen Lu, Jikai Lu, Yunfei Wu, Meishu Guo, Guy Smagghe, Renhuai Dai

Abstract: Iassinae, a widely distributed group of herbivorous pest insects, is a subfamily of Cicadellidae. Previous studies on the phylogeny of Iassinae were mostly based on morphological characteristics, mitochondrial genomes, and molecular fragments (H3, 28S, and 12S), and their phylogenetic relationships were controversial. To better understand Iassinae, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships among four genera in Iassinae with use of thousands of universal single-copy orthologs and ultraconserved elements extracted from 25 newly sequenced low-coverage whole genome data. Both marker sets provided consistent results across the maximum likelihood and coalescent-based species tree approaches. The phylogenetic results showed that the two genera Batracomorphus and Trocnadella were monophyletic groups, and Krisna a paraphyletic group. For the genus Gessius, we could not explain whether it is monophyletic or paraphyletic since only one species was involved. In this study, the phylogenetic relationship with use of universal single-copy orthologs and ultraconserved elements was stable, and all results supported that Batracomorphus is a sister group of Trocnadella, and that Gessius and Krisna possess a sister relationship. In addition, the divergence time showed that the divergence of Batracomorphus, Trocnadella, Krisna and Gessius began at approximately 49–72 Mya, 33–57 Mya, 51–78 Mya and 17–36 Mya, respectively. These results will help us to understand the phylogeny and evolutionary relationship of Iassinae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e116160

Authors: Dieter Weber, Martin Wendt, Thomas Schmitt

Abstract: The biogeography, taxonomy and systematics of ground water organisms is still poorly understood. This is partly due to the difficult accessibility of the habitats and the expert knowledge required for identification. Nevertheless, due to the large distribution range and limited dispersal possibilities of amphipods such as the genus Niphargus, important insights can be gained into biogeographical patterns and evolutionary processes in subterranean ecosystems. Niphargus is the most species-rich genus of freshwater amphipods worldwide and holds great potential for cryptic species whose identification is important for the reconstruction of biogeographic patterns and events. Therefore, we assessed the genetic patterns of Niphargus fontanus Spence Bate, 1859 (Amphipoda: Niphargidae). We sampled the species all over its current distribution and sequenced one mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments. We discovered that most records from France were probably misidentifications, and that the species does not occur in central and southern France. Nevertheless, the distribution area extends from Wales to Bavaria, which could make it one of the largest distribution areas within the genus. Compared with other Niphargus, the genetic diversity and differentiation of N. fontanus is low and most likely evolved since the mid-Pleistocene Transition, but reflects a clear phylogeographic pattern with about 13 genetic lineages. These apparently stand for a number of extra-Mediterranean glacial refugia from which postglacial expansion was low to moderate. However, few cases of disjunction within these genetic lineages exist, most likely resulting from rapid expansions along river Rhine which otherwise mostly acted as a dispersal barrier.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.83.e140421

Authors: Wei Xu, Gaoji Zhang, Tangjun Xu, Ke He, Jiachen Wang, Zeyang Liu, Hongyi Liu

Abstract: Scorpions, a diverse group of arachnids consisting of over 2,000 valid species, have received limited research attention in terms of their complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes). To increase the taxonomic sampling frequency of species available for study based on mitogenomes, we reconstructed the complete mitogenomes of five scorpions, Androctonus amoreuxi (Audouin, 1826), Hottentotta tamulus (Fabricius, 1798), Leiurus quinquestriatus (Ehrenberg, 1828), Lychas mucronatus (Fabricius, 1798), and Teruelius flavopiceus (Kraepelin, 1900) within the family Buthidae. These five mitogenomes had a typical circular structure, with total sizes ranging from 14,504 to 15,083 bp. Nucleotide composition analysis indicated that the sequences were biased toward A and T. The Ka/Ks ratios within 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) were lower than 1, suggesting that they had been subject to purifying selection in Buthidae. Our analyses provide additional evidence on that, in scorpions, the majority of mitogenome rearrangements occurred in tRNAs. Moreover, the genes tRNA-Asp, tRNA-Gln and tRNA-Ile were the hotspots of rearrangement in this order. Phylogenetic analyses based on PCGs supported taxonomic relationships in this taxon. Our results might provide useful insights into the gene arrangement features of scorpion mitogenomes and lay the foundation for further studies on the family Buthidae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e116205

Authors: Valentine Mewis, Peter Neu, Thomas Schmitt

Abstract: The understanding of cryptic species complexes with their often highly interesting biogeographical patterns is still a crucial aspect in evolutionary biology and related disciplines. Trichoptera are a group of insects particularly rich in unresolved groups. One example is the Wormaldia occipitalis species complex in which morphological studies suggest remarkable patterns of differentiation. In order to determine genetic differentiation and phylogenetic structure, one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear markers (CAD, wingless) were analysed for the W. occipitalis species complex around the Alps and northwards to Germany. The morphology-defined differentiation pattern was also observed at the genetic level. The morphologically well distinguishable groups W. occipitalis and W. subterranea were identified as two genetically distant monophyletic groups with about 10 % genetic divergence of the mitochondrial marker. These two taxa likely split during the Mio-Pliocene transition. Genetic analyses revealed four subgroups within W. occipitalis and three within W. subterranea. Several possible postglacial dispersal and differentiation processes are proposed. Thereby, W. occipitalis from the western Alps and individuals of W. subterranea from the eastern Alps spread towards Central Europe after the Last Glacial Maximum. Today, both species groups are sympatric and partly syntopic in the recolonised area in western Germany but apparently allopatric in their centres of origin around the Alps. The high genetic differentiation, lack of detectable genetic evidence for hybridisation, their syntopic distribution and the morphological distinctness indicate that W. occipitalis and W. subterranea are two distinct species. The genetically determined subgroups might represent subspecies.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e136751

Authors: Rong Chen, Yi Zhao, Sergei Golovatch, Wei-Xin Liu

Abstract: A taxonomic study of the genus Skleroprotopus Attems, 1901 from nine provinces in China was conducted utilizing morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The results reveal thirteen new species, i.e. Skleroprotopus yutiantianae sp. nov., S. tiankeng sp. nov., S. megistus sp. nov., S. penglai sp. nov., S. longissimus sp. nov., S. genjudi sp. nov., S. laiyuanensis sp. nov., S. longiflagellatus sp. nov., S. change sp. nov., S. ampullaceus sp. nov., S. incisodentatus sp. nov., S. multistriatus sp. nov., and S. conicus sp. nov. This significantly enriches the diversity of Skleroprotopus in China, bringing it to a total of 18 species. With the exception of S. yutiantianae sp. nov., all these species were collected in caves. In terms of their degree of adaptation to the cave environment, the latter six species are presumed troglophiles, while the others are likely troglobites. DNA-barcoding based on the COI mitochondrial gene is documented for the first time in this genus. The specific p-distances between Skleroprotopus species range from 6.6–17.0%, while intraspecific p-distances are only 0.2–1.4%. Additionally, the morphological features of male leg-pair 1, the penis and leg-pair 7 are also discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e131738

Authors: Vivien Cosandey, Ondřej Konvička, Emmanuel F. A. Toussaint

Abstract: The superfamily Tenebrionoidea is one of the most challenging clades in the beetle tree-of-life owing to its vast species richness and complex taxonomic history. Within this group, the family Melandryidae has long been overlooked and its systematics remains poorly known. Using available sequence data, we infer the most comprehensive phylogeny of Melandryidae to date. Our results support the polyphyly of Melandryidae with three independent clades spread across Tenebrionoidea. To accommodate these results, we restrict the status of Melandryidae and resurrect the family Osphyidae stat. rev. The third clade corresponding to the tribe Serropalpini pro parte is placed as incertae sedis within Tenebrionoidea pending further investigation and additional taxon sampling to resolve its phylogenetic placement.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e112684

Authors: Carmelo Andújar, Peter Hlaváč, Vasily V. Grebennikov

Abstract: The tribe Raymondionymini has long been neglected in phylogenetic studies. The tribe is characterized by uncertain monophyly, fluctuating taxonomic status, and a composition prone to instability. All raymondionymine weevils are wingless and have eyes either completely absent or, rarely, consisting of a single ommatidium. With body lengths predominantly below three millimeters, they inhabit deep soil environments and are infrequently collected. The core of this tribe comprises nine genera distributed in Europe and around the Mediterranean region and encompassing 76 species, while six additional genera include 17 species distributed in USA (California), Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Russian Far East, and Madagascar. Here, we present eight new mitogenomes, complemented by one publicly available, encompassing all but two Mediterranean genera of raymondionymine weevils. We used publicly available Curculionoidea mitogenomes to compile an all-inclusive dataset with 391 terminals and a reduced dataset with 61 terminals representing main families of Curculionoidea and subfamilies within Curculionidae. Our maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses, employing both DNA and amino acids datasets under alternative partition schemes, consistently produced congruent phylogenies. Our results show that the Mediterranean raymondionymines form a strongly supported clade, and their easternmost and morphologically distinct genus Ubychia is sister to the rest of them. Most notably, our results consistently recover a sister relationship between the clade of Mediterranean raymondionymine weevils and a clade encompassing all remaining Curculionidae. Consequently, we propose a revision of weevil taxonomy: (i) Our target group is removed from the non-monophyletic subfamily Brachycerinae; (ii) this clade is resurrected to its former subfamily level within Curculionidae, as the subfamily Raymondionyminae stat. rev; (iii) the nine Mediterranean genera Alaocephala, Alaocyba, Coiffaitiella, Derosasius, Ferreria, Raymondiellus, Raymondionymus, Tarattostichus, and Ubychia compose Raymondionyminae stat. rev; (iv) and non-Mediterranean genera Alaocybites, Bordoniola, Gilbertiola, Homosomus, Neoubychia, and Schizomicrus are considered as “incertae sedis” pending further phylogenetic corroboration. We hypothesize that the remaining Brachycerinae and the non-Mediterranean representatives within Raymondionyminae constitute a series of species-poor early-diverging lineages representing currently unrecognized subfamilies of Curculionidae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e114351

Authors: Mengjiao Ren, Chunpo Tian, Alexandra A. Grossi, Fasheng Zou, Daniel R. Gustafsson

Abstract: Closely related chewing lice in the Philopterus-complex are typically morphologically homogeneous, with the most significant differences often being in the male genitalia. However, in many groups within this complex the male genitalia are reduced and lacking one or more element, with the remaining components often at least partially fused. This is not least the case in the genus Philopteroides Mey, 2004, in which the male mesosome is often reduced and other characters are largely homogeneous throughout the genus. A phylogeny of the group based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear genes suggests that the species presently placed in Philopteroides belong to three different clades, which do not form a monophyletic group together. We here redefine Philopteroides morphologically, and describe two of these clades as new genera: Stasiasticopterus n. gen. for the species on bulbuls, and Coronedax n. gen. for species on monarch flycatchers. These genera can be separated from each other and from Philopteroides only by some characters of the male genitalia, but possibly also by characters of the preantennal head and female genitalia. In addition, we describe a new species of Coronedax, Coronedax longiceps sp. n. and provide an overview of the morphology of the male genitalia in the three genera treated.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e115954

Authors: Hoi-Sen Yong, Sze-Looi Song, Kah-Ooi Chua, Yvonne Jing Mei Liew, Kok-Gan Chan, Phaik-Eem Lim, Praphathip Eamsobhana

Abstract: Bactrocera (Bulladacus) cinnabaria and B. (Bactrocera) propinqua are tephritid fruit flies of the subfamily Dacinae, tribe Dacini. The whole mitogenomes of these two species (first report for the subgenus Bulladacus) possess 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes – PCGs, 2 rRNA and 22 tRNA genes). The mitogenome of B. cinnabaria (15,225 bp) is shorter than that of B. propinqua (15,927 bp), mainly due to the smaller size of the control region and intergenic spacers in B. cinnabaria. Molecular phylogeny based on mitochondrial genes (mt-genes) reveals two clades of the genus Bactrocera: one comprising the subgenus Bactrocera and the other comprising the subgenera Bulladacus, Daculus, Tetradacus and unassigned Bactrocera sp. ‘yunnanensis’. The subgenera represented by two or more taxa are monophyletic. B. (Bulladacus) cinnabaria forms a sister group with the subgenus Tetradacus (B. minax and B. tsuneonis) and B. sp. ‘yunnanensis’, in a clade containing also the basal sister lineage of the subgenus Daculus (B. oleae and B. biguttula). B. propinqua forms a sister group with B. ritsemai and B. limbifera in a subclade containing also B. umbrosa, B. curvifera and B. moluccensis of the monophyletic subgenus Bactrocera. The present study supports the synonymy of B. ruiliensis with B. thailandica. It also shows a high genetic similarity between (a) B. melastomatos and B. rubigina, (b) B. papayae and B. philippinensis, (c) B. dorsalis and B. invadens, (d) B. tryoni and B. neohumeralis, and (e) B. cheni and B. tuberculata; and B. cheni is distinct from and not a synonym of B. tsuneonis or B. lombokensis.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e113140

Authors: Noémie M. C. Hévin, Gael J. Kergoat, Alberto Zilli, Claire Capdevielle-Dulac, Boaz K. Musyoka, Michel Sezonlin, Desmond Conlong, Johnnie Van Den Berg, Rose Ndemah, Philippe Le Gall, Domingos Cugala, Casper Nyamukondiwa, Beatrice Pallangyo, Mohamedi Njaku, Muluken Goftishu, Yoseph Assefa, Onésime Mubenga Kandonda, Grégoire Bani, Richard Molo, Gilson Chipabika, George Ong’amo, Anne-Laure Clamens, Jérôme Barbut, Bruno Le Ru

Abstract: In this study, we reassess the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Sesamia Guenée, 1852 and examine in more detail the members of the nonagrioides species group, for which three distinct species complexes are identified. The calamistis subgroup comprises eight species, of which four new species are described: Sesamia kabirara Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia kalale Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia mapalense Le Ru sp. nov. and Sesamia teke Le Ru sp. nov. The incerta subgroup consists of 11 species, of which four new species are described: Sesamia kamba Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia lalaci Le Ru sp. nov., Sesamia lusese Le Ru sp. nov. and Sesamia msowero Le Ru sp. nov. The nonagrioides subgroup comprises ten species of which two new species are described: Sesamia libode Le Ru sp. nov. and Sesamia satauensis Le Ru sp. nov. Phylogenetic and molecular species delimitation analyses of a multi-marker molecular dataset allow us to investigate and clarify the status of Sesamia species and species complexes. Our results yield a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus, which supports the monophyletic nature of all but one species subgroup. The results of 16 distinct molecular species delimitation analyses show some levels of incongruence and, overall, a tendency towards over-splitting. We also present an updated list of species for the genus Sesamia and provide morphological keys based on male and female genitalia to determine the species group of any Sesamia species and to identify all species belonging to the nonagrioides species group.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e114349

Authors: Feiyang Liang, Xingyue Liu

Abstract: Psocomorpha, as one of the suborders of the order Psocodea, represents a large group of free-living bark lice. The phylogenetic relationships among/within the major groups, such as families, subfamilies, tribes, etc., of the bark lice need extensive investigation. The family Stenopsocidae belongs to the infraorder Caeciliusetae, which is a large group of Psocomorpha and is one of the common groups in Asia. Here we infer the intergeneric relationships of Stenopsocidae based on the mitochondrial genes and the nuclear 18S rRNA. The result supports the monophyly of Stenopsocidae and suggests the paraphyly of the genus Stenopsocus. Combining the morphological evidence, we propose a new genus, namely Neostenopsocus gen. n., which includes a number of species previously placed in Stenopsocus. The checklist of this new genus is provided. This new genus can be distinguished from Stenopsocus by the glabrous forewing CuP. In the revised classification system, Stenopsocidae includes four genera: Graphopsocus, Malostenopsocus, Neostenopsocus gen. n., and Stenopsocus. A key to the genera of Stenopsocidae is provided. We also present the diagnostic characters for each of these genera.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e115268

Authors: Nielson Felix Caetano França, Célio Magalhães, Fernando Luis Mantelatto

Abstract: The taxonomic status of the freshwater crab Dilocarcinus septemdentatus (Herbst, 1783) is still not well established. Currently, the main issue involves synonymization with D. spinifer H. Milne Edwards, 1853, based on a variation of the angulation of the gonopod apex. These species are distributed along rivers and lakes in northern South America, with disjunct occurrences in central-west Brazil and Argentina. Due to these inconsistencies, an integrative approach was performed to elucidate these questions, with morphological (including NanoCT-Scan) and molecular analysis (Maximum Likelihood Trees, Bayesian Inference, Genetics Distance Matrix, and Haplotype Network), based on mitochondrial markers COI and 16S rRNA. Both analysis revealed and supported the existence of a species complex under the name of D. septemdentatus. Based on the results obtained, we propose the revalidation of D. spinifer, the description of a new species, and the redescription of D. septemdentatus s. str., with a neotype designation for this species. The hypothesis that this species complex originated in the Pebas System, an extensive mega wetland system that existed along the lowlands of Western Amazonia from late Oligocene to late Miocene (c. 23–11 mya) is discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e98662

Authors: Masoumeh Amiri, Lorenzo Prendini, Fenik Sherzad Hussen, Mansour Aliabadian, Roohollah Siahsarvie, Omid Mirshamsi

Abstract: Morphological and genetic variation among populations of the widespread buthid scorpion, Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), occurring in western and southwestern Iran was explored using morphometric variables, one nuclear marker (28S rDNA) and three mitochondrial markers (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, and Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I). Genetic and morphometric statistical analyses revealed extensive cryptic diversity. Phylogenetic analysis with Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood uncovered two divergent clades, one of which is described as a new species, Hottentotta hatamtiorum sp. nov., from Ilam and Khuzestan Provinces, southwestern Iran. The description of the new species raises the total count of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 species to 61, twelve of which are endemic or subendemic to the Iranian Plateau.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e114299

Authors: Yiming Niu, Fengming Shi, Xinyu Li, Sainan Zhang, Yabei Xu, Jing Tao, Meng Li, Yuxuan Zhao, Shixiang Zong

Abstract: Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) play a vital role in global ecosystems. Some of them contribute to nutrient cycling and pollination, while others, pose a threat to forestry production. Despite their ecological importance, there has been a lack of comprehensive analyses on the mitochondrial genomes of Cerambycidae beetles. In this study, we have conducted mitochondrial genome sequencing and annotation for four Cerambycidae beetles: Monochamus sutor, Monochamus guerryi, Monochamus galloprovincialis, and Monochamus latefasciatus. Our analysis revealed a high degree of conservation in these mitochondrial genomes, with rare gene rearrangements observed across the Cerambycidae family. Additionally, a notable bias towards AT content was identified, with most genes using ATN as the start codon and TAA as the stop codon. Except for trnS1, all tRNA genes showed typical cloverleaf secondary structures. Phylogenetic analysis using IQ-TREE and Phylobayes consistently produced congruent topologies. At the gene level analyses, our results highlighted the remarkable conservation of the COX1 gene. Furthermore, at the species level, we observed strong adaptability in the Spondylidinae and Lepturinae subfamilies. We also offer our insights into contentious aspects of the phylogeny. Overall, our research contributes to a deeper understanding of the phylogeny and evolution of Cerambycidae, laying the groundwork for future population genetic investigations.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e105560

Authors: Yuan Hua, Ning Li, Jian Su, Baozhen Hua, Shiheng Tao, Lianxi Xing

Abstract: The scorpionfly genus Furcatopanorpa Ma & Hua, 2011 is a monotypic taxon of Panorpidae with a series of unique characters. However, the phylogenetic position of Furcatopanorpa in Panorpidae has not been satisfactorily resolved yet. Based on 48 complete mitochondrial genomes, we analyzed the mitochondrial phylogenomics and phylogeny of representatives of Panorpidae. The phylogenetic analyses indicate that Furcatopanorpa and Neopanorpa form a sister group relationship with high support. The chronogram of Panorpidae shows that Furcatopanorpa and Neopanorpa separated at ca. 82.07 Ma, while the species of Neopanorpa shared the most recent common ancestor at 49.07 Ma. Judged from the topology of the phylogenetic trees, it seems unsuitable to assign Furcatopanorpa into the subfamily Panorpinae, because this assignment may cause Panorpinae to be a paraphyletic group. A putative conclusion might be that Furcatopanorpa may need to be raised to subfamily status.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e112834

Authors: Zohreh Mirzaee, Roberto Battiston, Francesco Ballarin, Saber Sadeghi, Marianna Simões, Martin Wiemers, Thomas Schmitt

Abstract: The dwarf-mantid genus Holaptilon Beier, 1964 is composed of small-sized ground-runner species distributed in the Middle East. Due to their elusive lifestyle, little is known about their behaviour, distribution, and phylogeny. The genus Holaptilon was once established for a single species, H. pusillulum Beier, 1964, based on material collected in Jerusalem, Israel. Later, H. brevipugilis Kolnegari, 2018, and H. yagmur Yılmaz and Sevgili, 2023 were described from Iran and Turkey, respectively. In this study, integrated morphology, molecular analyses, and ecology were used to revise the genus Holaptilon and define the boundaries of its species. New data on this genus are presented, based on Holaptilon specimens collected from various provinces of Iran, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey. Extensive analyses, including examinations of male and female genitalia, morphometrical analysis, and morphological hypervolumes were conducted to distinguish its species morphologically. In addition, four molecular markers (mitochondrial and nuclear) were studied to gain a better understanding of species delimitation and phylogenetic relationships. As a result, impressive inter- and intraspecific variability was recovered. In addition to the three already known species, four new species with their distributions restricted to Iran (H. abdullahii sp. nov., H. khozestani sp. nov., H. iranicum sp. nov., and H. tadovaniensis sp. nov.) are here described, and H. yagmur Yılmaz and Sevgili, 2023 is synonymized with H. brevipugilis Kolnegari, 2018. The integrative approach was essential for an adequate classification in Holaptilon taxonomy and also helpful in the clarification of problematic and cryptic Mantodea species. Additional information concerning the life cycle, ecological aspects, spermatophore feeding, as well as geographic range and historical biogeography of Holaptilon species is also provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e108906

Authors: Bao-Jun Xie, Ping-Ping Chen, Jakob Damgaard, Jie-Yi Xie, Qiang Xie, Yan-Hui Wang

Abstract: The genus Micronecta Kirkaldy, 1897 is the most species-rich genus in the family Micronectidae, containing more than 160 species. Micronecta is currently divided into 11 subgenera, five of which are monotypic. Moreover, the subgenus Micronecta is an empirical mixture group. The definitions of some subgenera were based on only a few aberrant morphological features, which are specializations with few phylogenetic significances. The relationship between these subgenera remains unclear. In this study, we newly sequenced mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) and nuclear rDNAs (nrDNAs) for 13 Micronecta species, representing seven subgenera, and those for ten other water bugs. Our phylogenetic analyses showed that the subgenus Lundbladella represents the sister group to all other studied subgenera of Micronecta. The subgenus Unguinecta was the sister group to the clade that contains Dichaetonecta and Sigmonecta. More importantly, the subgenus Micronecta represents a paraphyletic group, which further forms a monophyletic group together with the subgenera Basileonecta and Ctenonecta. This is for the first time that the phylogeny of the genus Micronecta was investigated based on molecular data and the paraphyly of the subgenus Micronecta was revealed. Such evidence suggested the necessity of the revision of the taxonomic system of the genus in the future, and may also serve as a reference for the delimitation of subgeneric characters.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e111985

Authors: Carol-Anne Villeneuve, Louwrens P. Snyman, Emily J. Jenkins, Nicolas Lecomte, Isabelle Dusfour, Patrick A. Leighton

Abstract: Abstract Arctic ecosystems face increasing risks from vector-borne diseases due to climate-driven shifts in disease patterns and vector distribution. However, species identification challenges impact vector-borne disease surveillance, necessitates accurate identification. Aedes species are predominant among Arctic mosquitoes and pose health risks, with some species potentially carrying Jamestown Canyon and Snowshoe hare viruses. However, identifying Aedes species is challenging, especially under Arctic conditions and with complex adult traits. This study assessed the suitability of DNA barcoding (COI and ITS2 regions) and morphological characteristics for the identification of Arctic black-legged Aedes. It also aimed to evaluate the reliability of publicly available sequences. Our analysis focused on Aedes impiger, Aedes nigripes, and two species from the Punctor subgroup – Aedes hexodontus and Aedes punctor. In our study, the COI barcoding region distinguished Ae. impiger and Ae. nigripes but not within the species of the Punctor subgroup. In addition, the ITS2 barcoding region did not differentiate the species. When we evaluated GenBank and BOLD sequences, we found issues of under-representation and misidentifications, particularly within the Punctor subgroup. Based on these results, we recommend addressing identification difficulties, particularly within the Punctor subgroup, and advocate for more comprehensive morphological and molecular identification strategies. Integrating morphology and DNA barcoding holds promise for robust disease surveillance in Arctic regions, yet challenges persist, especially in complex species groups like the Punctor subgroup. Tackling these issues is pivotal to ensuring accurate vector status determination and reliable disease risk assessments in a rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e111799

Authors: Hossein Ashrafi, Kristin M. Hultgren

Abstract: Abstract The alpheid snapping shrimp genus Synalpheus Spence Bate, 1888, is a prominent component of arthropod diversity found in coral reefs. Notably, Synalpheus is the only genus of marine organisms known to exhibit eusocial behavior. Although eusociality has evolved at least four times independently in Synalpheus, all described eusocial species are from the West Atlantic, with only a single study documenting possibly eusocial species from Indonesia. In 2008, during an expedition to Madagascar organized by the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH), a diverse array of sponge-dwelling species was collected, including two species of Synalpheus exhibiting colonial behavior. Through detailed examination of these specimens, we have confirmed that these two species are eusocial and represent new eusocial species of Synalpheus outside of the West Atlantic. Consequently, we provide the first official documentation of eusocial species from the Western Indian Ocean and present their taxonomic descriptions and their phylogenetic relationships with other species of the genus in this study.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e107507

Authors: Elton Orlandin, Mônica Piovesan, Daniel Herbin, Eduardo Carneiro

Abstract: Apatelodidae is a family of Neotropical bombycoids that still needs to be studied in several aspects, as many groups of species have not yet undergone a careful systematic revision. On the other hand, recent studies showed that some species known to be widely distributed in fact form species complexes. Until now, Olceclostera bifenestrata Schaus, 1912, described from Costa Rica, supposedly has a wide distribution, reaching the south of Brazil. We reviewed specimens from South America identified as O. bifenestrata. Using morphological data and DNA barcodes, we discovered that South American specimens belong to four new species: Olceclostera jairana sp. nov., Olceclostera quilombola sp. nov., Olceclostera xeta sp. nov. and Olceclostera wayana sp. nov. The four species can be distinguished mainly by characters of genitalia, mostly in aedeagus structures. However, wing characters (number of hyaline spots) and abdomen characters (number of patches of larger scales) may be useful for classifying species groups in Olceclostera. Additionally, we illustrate and describe for the first time all the life stages of an Olceclostera species, including its chaetotaxy and life history, and provide the first SEM images of the egg of an Apatelodidae species. We present a discussion about the morphological characters of adults and immatures and their relevance to the systematics of Apatelodidae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e104426

Authors: Noor Izwan-Anas, Van Lun Low, Zubaidah Ya’cob, Emmanuel Y. Lourdes, Mohamad Rasul Abdullah Halim, Mohd Sofian-Azirun, Hiroyuki Takaoka, Peter H. Adler

Abstract: Black flies play a prominent role in public health and the epidemiology of parasitic diseases of humans, domesticated and wild animals. Correct identification and a comprehensive survey are required to identify vector and pest species and thus understand their biological attributes which play a vital role in the monitoring program. DNA barcoding is an established molecular tool that provides rapid and accurate species identification. Our study strengthens the molecular database for black flies in Malaysia by adding 59 cytochrome c oxidase I sequences for 22 species, of which 14 are included for the first time. These sequences, combined with those in public databases, represent a total of 338 sequences for 52 Malaysian species, nearly 50% of which were collected from type localities. At the subgeneric level, barcode gap analysis most accurately identified species in the subgenus Nevermannia (92%), followed by Simulium s. l. (91%), and Gomphostilbia (81%). The remaining sequences were ambiguous and could not be distinguished from those of nearest neighbour species due to an overlap in genetic divergence and low genetic diversity, especially between insular species. Tree analyses indicate that certain species had incomplete lineage sorting and low mitochondrial signals. Possible cryptic species were indicated in the Simulium (Gomphostilbia) batoense and S. (G.) epistum species groups. Species delimitations were consistent with morphological identifications except in large species groups such as the S. (G.) asakoae, S. (G.) batoense, S. (G.) epistum, and S. (Simulium) melanopus groups. The use of type specimens or specimens collected from type localities (topotypes) in barcoding is strongly recommended for reference sequences to increase the reliability of the molecular database.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e110014

Authors: Steffen U. Pauls, Wolfram Graf, Anna E. Hjalmarsson, Alan Lemmon, Emily Moriarty Lemmon, Malte Petersen, Simon Vitecek, Paul B. Frandsen

Abstract: Streams represent a special case of directional environmental gradients where ecological opportunity for diversification may be associated with upstream and downstream dispersal into habitats that differ in selective pressures. Temperature, current velocity and variability, sediment erosion dynamics and oxygen saturation are key environmental parameters that change in predictable ways from springs to river mouth. Many aquatic insects occupy specific longitudinal regions along these gradients, indicating a high degree of adaptation to these specific environmental conditions. In caddisflies, the evolution of tracheal gills in larval and pupal stages may be a major driver in oxygen uptake efficiency and ecological diversification. Here we study the evolution of larval gill structure in the Rhyacophila vulgaris species group using phylogenomic methods. Based on anchored hybrid enrichment, we sequenced 97 kbp of data representing 159 independent nuclear protein coding gene regions to infer the phylogeny of the R. vulgaris species group, whose species exhibit both high diversity of gill types and varied longitudinal preferences. We find that the different gill types evolved independently as derived characters in the genus and that gill structure is linked to the longitudinal habitat preference, thereby serving as a possible ecological key innovation in the R. vulgaris group.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e96839

Authors: Sana Sharifian, Ehsan Kamrani, Maria A. Nilsson, Hanieh Saeedi

Abstract: Brachyuran crabs constitute the dominant fauna in intertidal and supratidal coasts of mangrove forests. We sampled the most commonly occurring crab species from the biodiversity rich Persian Gulf mangrove forest. We identified crabs from Camptandriidae, Dotillidae, Ocypodidae, Macrophthalmidae, and Sesarmidae as the most common species in the sampled regions. Molecular barcoding was applied to determine 11 species (29 specimens) of the mangrove crabs. Two mitochondrial genes were used to barcode the specimens and these were included in a larger phylogenetic data set. Many of the analyzed species showed a close phylogenetic relationship with species from the Northern Arabian Sea. The results provide the first steps to study the genetic diversity of the mangrove crab community along the Iranian coasts to support protection and management of mangrove ecosystems and its associated taxa.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e104522

Authors: Clément Schneider, Cyrille A. D’Haese

Abstract: Mackenziella psocoides Hammer, 1953 (Collembola: Mackenziellidae) is a widespread but uncommon springtail. Its unusual body shape (ovoid, with partial coalescence of abdominal segments) has puzzled the specialists for a long time, until the discovery of males allowed to relate the species to a family of globular springtails, the Sminthurididae. Yet, the precise phylogenetic position of M. psocoides, and hence of the Mackenziellidae, remained ambiguous. In this work, we report a new locality for M. psocoides in Germany. We provide the first DNA sequences (nuclear ribosomal DNA operon) for the species, as well as the first images using scanning electron microscopy. We investigate its phylogenetic position based on the molecular data and specify details on its morphology. Our results show that M. psocoides is nested inside of Sminthurididae, as the sister group of Sphaeridia Linnaniemi, 1912. Consequently, Mackenziellidae syn. nov. is here synonymized with Sminthurididae. We include Mackenziella and Sphaeridia in the Sphaeridiainae subfam. nov., a replacement name for Sphaeridiinae Richard, 1968 that is a junior homonym of Sphaeridiinae Latreille, 1802 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). Corresponding to its phylogenetic position within Sminthurididae, the evolutionary origin of M. psocoides is younger than previously thought (79 mya +/- 35 my). The lineage accumulated an unusual amount of body modifications involving, among others, the loss of the globular body shape. This rapid rate of evolution is, to our knowledge, unique in springtails. It shows that globular body shape is not an evolutionary dead-end, and the secondary acquisition of a linear body shape and recovery of longitudinal flexibility is still possible.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e105025

Authors: Hoi-Sen Yong, Sze-Looi Song, Kah-Ooi Chua, Yvonne Jing Mei Liew, I. Wayan Suana, Phaik-Eem Lim, Kok-Gan Chan, Praphathip Eamsobhana

Abstract: The complete mitogenomes of fruit flies Zeugodacus (Javadacus) calumniatus, Z. (Javadacus) heinrichi and Z. (Sinodacus) hochii have similar gene order and contain 37 genes and a non-coding region. They share an identical start codon for the respective protein-coding genes (PCGs), an identical TAA stop codon for 11 PCGs, TAG for cob, and an incomplete T stop codon for nad5. The cloverleaf structure of most of the tRNAs is similar in the three Zeugodacus species. Phylogenetic analyses reveal Z. (Parasinodacus) cilifer to be external to two main clades: (A) monophyletic subgenus Zeugodacus; and (B) subgenera Javadacus and Sinodacus. The present results indicate that the taxonomic status of some taxa needs clarification. Z. calumniatus is genetically very similar to Z. tau and is not congruent with its current placement in the munda complex. Z. mukiae NC_067083 is genetically very similar to Z. scutellaris, but differs significantly from Z. mukiae MG683384 of the arisanicus (arisanica) complex. On the other hand, Z. proprediaphorus is genetically distinct from and not a synonym of Z. diaphorus. Z. caudatus sensu stricto from Indonesia forms a sister lineage with Z. diversus, instead of with the Malaysian and Chinese taxa of Z. caudatus sensu lato. A notable incongruence is the sister lineage of Z. (Sinodacus) hochii and Z. (Javadacus) heinrichi among other taxa of subgenus Javadacus. A more extensive taxon sampling, particularly the subgenus Sinodacus (and other subgenera), is needed to clarify/resolve their subgenus status.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e97946

Authors: Zehui Kang, Yuanyuan Xu, Guoquan Wang, Ding Yang, Xiao Zhang

Abstract: Limoniidae, the most speciose family in the superfamily Tipuloidea, consists of four subfamilies and more than 11,000 species. However, mitochondrial (mt) genome sequences, which have been widely used for phylogenetic study, are available for only 11 species across three subfamilies. Thus, a larger variety of mt genome sequences in Limoniidae are required to improve our understanding of tipuloid phylogeny and genomic evolution. Here we present mt genomes of Elephantomyia (Elephantomyia) inulta Alexander, 1938 and Helius (Helius) pluto Alexander, 1932, representing the first mt genomes of the tribe Elephantomyiini (Limoniidae). The two mt genomes are typical circular DNA molecules and show similar gene order, nucleotide composition and codon usage. Standard ATN start and TAR stop codons are present in most protein-coding genes. All transfer RNA (tRNA) genes exhibited the cloverleaf secondary structure typical for metazoans except in tRNASer(AGN), which lacks the dihydrouridine arm. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on four nucleotide matrixes for the currently sequenced species of Tipuloidea using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. Four-cluster likelihood mapping was used to study incongruent signals between different topologies. Pediciidae is supported as the earliest lineage in Tipuloidea, and the sister-group relationship between Cylindrotomidae and Tipulidae is also supported, but the monophyly of Limoniidae is not supported. Our study also supports the monophyly of Elephantomyiini (Elephantomyia + Helius), as one of origins of flower-visiting in Limoniidae. Although Elephantomyiini is sister to Limoniinae + Epiphragma (Limnophilinae) in our study, a more precise understanding of its phylogenetic position in Tipuloidea will require additional studies that include a broader species sample.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e98141

Authors: Ionela-Mădălina Viciriuc, Mircea-Dan Mitroiu, Richard Robinson Askew, Nicolas Ris, Lucian Fusu, Nicolas Borowiec

Abstract: The introduction of the biological control agent Torymus sinensis Kamijo (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Torymidae) to control the populations of the chestnut gall wasp Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae) is considered one of the successful programs in biological control. The species was involved in interspecific hybridisation in Japan and the specimens imported into Europe were derived from this hybrid lineage, showing signs of introgression. The discovery of mitochondrial haplotypes or possible Enolase haplotypes from T. beneficus or of specimens with shorter ovipositor does not necessarily imply that T. beneficus is present in Europe, only that the European specimens are of hybrid origin. Of the native European Torymus species associated with D. kuriphilus, the molecular and morphometric results indicate Torymus notatus (Walker) as the closest species to T. sinensis. The two are part of the same species-group (cyaneus group), are nested together in the multivariate ratio analysis and are the closest genetically based on all three nuclear markers: Enolase (1.5% divergence), Wingless (2%) and ITS2 (13%). However, on the mitochondrial marker COI the closest species is Torymus rubi (Schrank) at 9.9% divergence. As such, T. notatus is the most likely candidate for accidental interspecific hybridisation if this is to happen in Europe. We provide an illustrated identification key for the European species of Torymus associated with D. kuriphilus, an important but lacking tool for biological control programs.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e96319

Authors: Anna Paśnik, Sebastian Tarcz, Łukasz Przybyłowicz

Abstract: The subgenus Parapisa of the genus Apisa is reviewed based on the examination of 104 specimens. Apisa (P.) cinereocostata and A. (P.) subargentea are redescribed and their intraspecific variation is analysed in detail. A new species A. (P.) asipa, similar in the general coloration to other Apisa taxa, but very distinctive in the male genital morphology and the shape of the wing scales, is described from Cameroon and Nigeria. Apisa (P.) cinereocostata is hypothesized to be a widespread, but highly polymorphic taxon with significant variation in body size, intensity of grey coloration, and the proportions and shape of certain morphostructures of male genitalia. Determination keys and extensive illustrations of the variation are provided to enable proper identification of specimens.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e101411

Authors: Wei Zhao, Hao Yu Liu, Xue Ying Ge, Yu Xia Yang

Abstract: The resolution of phylogenetic relationship among animals is still one of the most challenging problems in systematic zoology. Insect wing is a highly valued morphological character in the systematics, but few studies have been conducted to quantify wing shape variations for phylogenetic reconstruction. In this study, with Cantharinae as the subject, we conducted the GM analyses from hindwings of 16 representative genera. Further, we conducted the UPGMA based on Procrustes distance and Euclidean similarity measure of Mahalanobis distance, respectively, and NJ analysis of the Mahalanobis distance, as well as MP analysis using merged landmark dataset. In the meantime, we constructed the phylogenetic relationships among these genera based on the mitochondrial genomes, with a total of 41 sequences novel to Cantharinae, by BI and ML analyses. As a result, the CVA analysis demonstrated that the hindwing shapes of the cantharid genera are significantly different from one another. All the topologies produced by the GM data partially correspond with that of mitogenomic data. The close relationships of some genera are frequently recovered, including Cyrebion + Themus, Cantharis + Taiwanocantharis + Taocantharis, Stenothemus + Falsopodabrus + Habronychus. These results prove the importance and potential application of the hindwing shapes in recovering the relationships among the sibling genera.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e85191

Authors: Si Xun Ge, Zhuo Heng Jiang, Jia Qi Wang, Kui Song, Chao Zhang, Shao Ji Hu

Abstract: The taxonomic status of the Pieris napi-complex and similar species which occur in China are revised. Relevant species distributed in the adjacent regions were included to clarify the status of Chinese species and were briefly revised. All those species are described and illustrated and new synonyms are established. A molecular phylogenetic analysis is also performed on the species group including similar species, to investigate the phylogenetic relationships between taxa. Species of the Pieris napi-complex that occur in China and adjacent regions are redefined, with four similar species excluded (P. melaina, P. extensa, P. chumbiensis gyantsensis and P. melete). A distribution map and keys of the complex including similar species are provided. The taxon P. mihon Yakovlev, 2006 stat. nov. is raised from subspecies to species status; P. narina Verity, 1908 stat. rev. is confirmed as a distinct species rather than a subspecies of P. ochsenheimeri; Pieris euorientis Verity, 1908 stat. rev. is recovered as a distinct species sister to P. dulcinea. Two taxa, ssp. sauron and ssp. bryonides are moved from subspecies of P. euorientis and P. bryoniae, respectively, to P. napi, i.e. P. napi sauron Yakovlev, 2004 comb. nov and P. napi bryonides Sheljuzhko, 1910 comb. rev. A new synonym is proposed: Pieris ochsenheimeri tianshansis Tadokoro, Shinkawa & Wang, 2014, new synonym of P. mihon Yakovlev, 2006. A new mistaken identification is proposed: Pieris dulcinea kneitzi is a misidentification of Pieris erutae kneitzi Eitschberger, 1983 comb. rev. Five Chinese species belonging to the Pieris napi-complex were confirmed, namely P. narina, P. mihon, P. latouchei, P. dulcinea, and P. erutae. Among them, two species, P. mihon Yakovlev, 2006 and Pieris narina Verity, 1908, are newly recorded from China. The taxonomic status of Pieris steinigeri Eitschberger, 1983 and Pieris bryoniae sifanica Grum-Grshimailo, 1895 is also discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e86898

Authors: Ayman Khamis Elsayed, Tadao Ichita, Makoto Tokuda

Abstract: We describe a gall midge Parampelomyia yukawai Elsayed and Tokuda gen. nov. sp. nov. belonging to the subtribe Schizomyiina (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae: Asphondyliini) based on an integrative taxonomic study. This species forms barely-swollen flower bud galls on the porcelain berry Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. heterophylla (Vitaceae) in Japan. The new genus is distinguishable from all known schizomyiine genera by tarsomere I lacking a ventroapical extension, the bulbous base of the protrusible portion of the ovipositor, the fused and sclerotized female cerci, the bidentate gonostylus, and the larval terminal abdominal segment that bears two corniform, two asetose and six setose papillae. The new genus is compared with and separated from the similar genera Schizomyia and Ampelomyia morphologically and phylogenetically.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e85755

Authors: Tatiana Petersen Ruschel, Filipe Michels Bianchi, Luiz Alexandre Campos, Gervásio Silva Carvalho

Abstract: The Linnean, Wallacean, and Darwinian shortfalls are knowledge gaps about species taxonomy, distribution, and evolution, respectively. Fidicinini is a tribe of cicadas that suffers from these gaps. We assessed specimens of the tribe sharing similar male genital shape (uncus), but fitting the somatic morphology of either Dorisiana Metcalf, 1952 and Guyalna Boulard & Martinelli, 1996. We build a phylogenetic hypothesis by total evidence analysis and perform a character optimization of the uncus and timbal cover shapes, the last used as diagnostic for both genera. Dorisiana and Guyalna were recovered non-monophyletic. A new genus, Acanthoventris gen. nov., and ten new species are proposed: A. charrua Ruschel sp. nov., A. claudiae Ruschel sp. nov., A. faustopsaltrius Ruschel sp. nov., A. iara Ruschel sp. nov., A. igneus Ruschel sp. nov., A. olivarius Ruschel sp. nov., A. phoenix Ruschel sp. nov., A. rubemi Ruschel sp. nov., A. tumidus Ruschel sp. nov., and A. viridinotatus Ruschel sp. nov.; and three new combinations A. densusus (Boulard & Martinelli, 2011) comb. nov., A. drewseni (Stål, 1854) comb. nov., and A. jauffreti (Boulard & Martinelli, 2001) comb. nov. We provide illustrated identification keys, occurrence maps, and discuss the distribution of the species in the new genus.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e90570

Authors: Michelle Lorenz, Stephanie F. Loria, Mark S. Harvey, Danilo Harms

Abstract: Madagascar is amongst the “hottest” biodiversity hotspots with extreme levels of diversity and endemism. Throughout the last decades, there has been substantial progress in documenting the Malagasy invertebrate fauna but no study has ever focused on pseudoscorpions (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) in the arachnid fauna. Here we review the Malagasy fauna of Hercules pseudoscorpions (family Feaellidae), which are common in soil habitats of arid biomes across Madagascar. Using morphology and molecular data, we recover three reciprocally monophyletic clades that correspond to three new genera in well-defined biogeographical regions and identify twelve new species: Antsiarananaella gen. nov. for Antsirananaella lorenzorum sp. nov., Antsiarananaella leniae sp. nov., Antsiarananaella faulstichi sp. nov. and Antsiarananaella marlae sp. nov.; Mahajanganella gen. nov. for Mahajanganella fridakahloae sp. nov., Mahajanganella heraclis sp. nov. and Mahajanganella schwarzeneggeri sp. nov.; Toliaranella gen. nov. for Toliaranella fisheri sp. nov., Toliaranella griswoldi sp. nov., Toliaranella mahnerti sp. nov., Toliaranella meridionalis sp. nov. and Toliaranella pumila sp. nov. Local endemism in this fauna is high and most species have small distributions, ranging from 20 km to 350 km linearly. Genetic distances between populations are also high, suggesting restricted dispersal or selection against dispersal in this fauna. Species’ ranges seem to be delimited by geological barriers including volcanic fields (Ambre-Bobaomby in the north of Madagascar), mountain ranges (foothills of the Central Highland Plateau), and rivers (Manankolana, Mandrare, Manombo and Onilahy Rivers and their anabranches), but mainly by different biome habitats. Overall, Madagascar emerges as a global “hotspot” of feaellid radiation and these animals may be used in future studies to test biogeographical hypotheses across xeric biomes on this island.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e84428

Authors: Enrico Schifani, Antonio Alicata, Mattia Menchetti, Lech Borowiec, Brian L. Fisher, Celal Karaman, Kadri Kiran, Wala Oueslati, Sebastian Salata, Rumsaïs Blatrix

Abstract: The West-Palearctic region is a diversity hotspot for the ant genus Aphaenogaster. Species in this region are characterized by high morphological variation, which has led to their subdivisioninto different infrageneric groups. The very first classification in three subgenera, dated 1915, was gradually replaced by eight species-groups. To probe the evolutionary consistency of these species-groups, we sequenced 46 species from all eight species-groups and biogeographic sectors of the region, using one mitochondrial (COI) and six nuclear markers (EPICs), and interpreted the results by integrating qualitative morphology. Our results demonstrate the non-monophyly of all formerly recognized subgenera and species-groups, except for the crocea group. We use the phylogeny and morphological characters to propose a new classification of six monophyletic species-groups (crocea, gibbosa, graeca, pallida, sardoa, subterranea). The pallida, subterranea and sardoa (formerly testaceopilosa) groups attain monophyletic status by reassigning a few taxa. The gibbosa group is to be considered exclusively Western-Mediterranean until further assessments of similar Eastern species. The new graeca group is established by including former members of the splendida and subterranea groups, while the polyphyletic cecconii, obsidiana, and splendida groups are dismissed. Notably, the first is not part of the tropical Deromyrma clade as previously thought, while at least two independent clades which require further investigation are composed of species from both the cecconii and splendida groups, suggesting repeated morphological convergences based on similar ecological adaptations. Finally, A. cardenai is confirmed to be a significantly divergent lineage. In addition, three Aphaenogaster species are moved to different genera: Messor asmaae (Sharaf, 2018) comb. nov., Messor isekram (Bernard, 1977) comb. nov., and Pheidole sarae (Sharaf, 2018) comb. nov. Further studies should address the evolutionary relationships between the clades recovered in this study.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e84013

Authors: Marek Linský, Zuzana Čiamporová-Zaťovičová, Kristína Laššová, Fedor Čiampor Jr

Abstract: The riffle beetle genus Hexanchorus Sharp is, with 25 known species, the most speciose genus of the subfamily Larainae in the Neotropics and the second largest globally. An analysis of its phylogeny, based on two mitochondrial (COI, 16S) and two nuclear (18S, 28S) markers, including Hexanchorus-like, but morphologically distinct specimens, supported presence of an unknown genus. The new genus, Rumilara gen. nov., is described here with four new species (R. obscura sp. nov., R. paterna sp. nov., R. riberai sp. nov., R. suppressa sp. nov.) and their larvae. The separate position of the new genus is, beside molecular differences, well substantiated by the morphology of adults (the absence of sexual dimorphism, structure of the pronotum) and larvae (pleurites never reaching to sixth abdominal ventrite). H. sagittatus stat. nov. is elevated to species rank based on molecular data, and Rumilara leleupi (Delève) comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Hexanchorus and redescribed, based on its morphology.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e86008

Authors: Ivan L. F. Magalhaes, Abel Pérez-González, Facundo M. Labarque, Martín Carboni, Jörg U. Hammel, Robin Kunz, Martín J. Ramírez, Mónica M. Solórzano-Kraemer

Abstract: Recluse or violin spiders in the genus Loxosceles (Scytodoidea: Sicariidae) are a diverse group (~140 extant species) including medically important species and distributed mainly in the Americas, Africa, and the Mediterranean region. In addition, this genus includes three fossil species from Miocene Dominican amber. Here we revise the taxonomy of these fossil species by examining, imaging and re-describing their type specimens. We find that L. defecta Wunderlich, 1988 and L. deformis Wunderlich, 1988 are bona fide members of the genus and report additional characters overlooked in their original descriptions. We further study the holotype of L. aculicaput Wunderlich, 2004 using synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography to reveal previously unknown morphological details hidden by fissures in the amber. We found several characters inconsistent with Loxosceles but consistent with Drymusa (false violin spiders; Scytodoidea: Drymusidae), such as three claws, well-developed podotarsite, and a broad colulus. This suggests the species is misplaced in Loxosceles. To test this hypothesis, we estimated a total-evidence phylogeny of the superfamily Scytodoidea including extant and fossil taxa, morphological data, traditional molecular markers, and sequences of ultra-conserved elements. The results show unambiguously that L. aculicaput belongs to Drymusa and is a close relative of extant species of the genus inhabiting the Greater Antilles. Therefore, we here transfer this species to Drymusa, establishing a new combination and new family assignment. Drymusa aculicaput comb. nov. represents the first known fossil Drymusidae and shows that crown members of this genus already existed in the Miocene.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e82831

Authors: Lucas Roberto Pereira Gomes, Maria Aparecida Cassilha Zawadneak, Magda Clara Vieira da Costa-Ribeiro, Tiago Miguel Jarek, Claudio José Barros de Carvalho

Abstract: Delia sanctijacobi is critically assessed and given a revised description using data from scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and DNA barcode analysis. This species is recorded for the first time in Brazil and Peru. We provide a morphological identification key (with figures) for Delia species from Brazil, a molecular identification based on COI (cytochrome C oxidase subunit I) barcode sequences and an updated distributional map. We also report the first occurrence of D. sanctijacobi feeding on Brassica species in Brazil. This potential pest was observed in broccoli roots (Brassica oleracea var. italica; Brassicaceae) in União da Vitória, Paraná, southern Brazil, in August and September of 2017. The infested plants displayed reduced growth due to damage to the stem base or death if severely attacked.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e84114

Authors: Jan Erik Sedlmeier, Arnaud Faille

Abstract: The past climatic changes caused repeated distribution shifts within insect populations leading to a highly diverse fauna in the mountain regions, which have acted as a refuge for many groups. There, some taxa have adapted to high altitudes and cold climatic conditions. One of those is the highly diverse and Holarctic subgenus Cryobius Chaudoir, 1838 (Carabidae: Pterostichus) including both locally and widely distributed species. Isolated and morphologically divergent populations of the same species led to the description of many subspecies. Until now, there has been no comprehensive work concerning the phylogeny of Cryobius, and genetic data on this taxon are sparse. This study is the first to provide insights into the molecular phylogeny of this subgenus, focusing on species from the Pyrenean and Cantabrian mountain systems. Cryobius specimens were sequenced targeting mitochondrial and nuclear genes. A molecular phylogeny was then built, merging the new data with genetic data from online public databases. All species of Cryobius included in this study form a monophyletic clade within Pterostichus. The synonymy of the two former taxa Pyreneorites and Haptoderus with Cryobius is confirmed by this study. Cryobius of the Pyreneo-Cantabrian area are closely related. Moreover, several well-supported clades of local species were found. The results further indicate a relation between Nearctic and Eastern Palearctic Cryobius, in agreement with the theory of faunal and floral colonization of North America via the Bering land bridge.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e79498

Authors: Analisa Waller, Exequiel R. González, Ana Verdi, Ivanna H. Tomasco

Abstract: Hyalella is a genus of epigean freshwater amphipods endemic to the Americas. The study of morphological characters alone has traditionally dominated the description of new species. Recently, molecular systematics tools have contributed to identifying many cryptic species and a high level of convergent evolution in species complexes from North America and the South American highlands. In this study, we evaluate for the first time the molecular diversity in Hyalella spp. in Uruguay, a country located in the humid pampa ecoregion, based on four molecular markers. Thus, we investigate the systematic position of H. curvispina in the context of the available phylogenetic hypothesis for the genus. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses confirm that there is a “curvispina complex”. This complex includes H. curvispina and several similar morphological forms but is paraphyletic in relation to some altiplano species. In addition, we found one provisional new species. The results obtained are contrasted with previous studies to help understand the mechanisms of genetic differentiation and speciation of the genus, which seems to have a strong tendency towards morphological convergence.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e82447

Authors: Maciej Kociński, Dragan Chobanov, Beata Grzywacz

Abstract: The Balkan Peninsula is treated as a hotspot of biodiversity with over 40% of European bush-crickets occurring there. Poecilimon Fischer, 1853 is one of the largest Palaearctic orthopteran genera containing several species groups. One of them is the Poecilimon ornatus group (Schmidt, 1850) with 13 species and 5 subspecies. Among the group, the Poecilimon affinis complex is designated as consisting of P. pseudornatus Ingrisch & Pavićević, 2010, P. nonveilleri Ingrisch & Pavićević, 2010, and five subspecies of P. affinis (Frivaldszky, 1868). The aim of this study is to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among taxa of the P. ornatus group and to elucidate the position of taxa related to the P. affinis complex. Molecular phylogeny supported the monophyly of the P. ornatus group and showed that their ancestor probably originated in the southern Balkans. The underlying processes are thought to be six dispersals and five vicariance events linked to geological events and climate changes in the Pleistocene. The species delimitation analysis showed mostly nine hypothetical species among the group.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e75819

Authors: Marie Djernæs, Jérôme Murienne

Abstract: Blattoidea are comprised of the major lineages Blattidae, Lamproblattidae, Tryonicidae, Anaplectidae, and Cryptocercidae + Isoptera. Despite a number of studies, no consensus exists regarding the relationships between these lineages. Additionally, the current division of Blattidae into Archiblattinae, Blattinae, Macrocercinae and Polyzosteriinae needs phylogenetic testing. We present a molecular phylogeny of Blattoidea recovering all the major lineages as monophyletic with Lamproblattidae as sister to the remaining Blattoidea and Tryonicidae as sister to Cryptocercidae + Isoptera. Contrary to many previous studies, we found a high degree of consistency between analyses, possibly due to improved taxon sampling. We found that none of the currently accepted subfamilies of Blattidae are monophyletic. Mapping of distribution revealed a clear geographic structuring at odds with the current subfamilial classification. Based on results from this and other studies, we present a revised classification of Blattidae: we erect two new subfamilies, Eurycotiinae stat. rev. and Austrostylopyginae subfam. nov., reinstate Duchailluiinae stat. rev. and subsume Macrocercinae in Polyzosteriinae. We also present a division of Polyzosteriinae into tribes: Polyzosteriini, Methanini stat. rev., Rothisilphini trib. nov., and Celatoblattini trib. nov. Within Blattidae, Duchailluiinae is sister to the remaining taxa, while Austrostylopyginae is most likely sister to all other Blattidae except Duchailluiinae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e62469

Authors: Duting Jin, Qiongyao Zhao, Wei Han, Jinxiang Li, Zongqing Wang, Yanli Che

Abstract: Members of the morphologically and ecologically diverse Blattellidae provide a dilemma: their systematic assignment, whether morphologically similar or different, is uncertain. We pay special attention to several taxa: the morphologically similar Episymploce Bey-Bienko, 1950 and Symploce Hebard, 1916, which were strongly disputed because of their extremely similar generic diagnosis in the past century, and one brachypterous species of Blattella Caudell, 1903, which can be easily distinguished from other macropterous members, but is at risk of being misassigned to other genera on the basis of morphological characters. We address the phylogeny of Blattellidae using DNA sequences (mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, COII, nuclear 28S rRNA, histone H3) from a broad sample of taxa. A new genus (Centrocolumna gen. nov.) and four new species (Centrocolumna ericea sp. nov., Symploce nigra sp. nov., Symploce tubercularis sp. nov., Blattella foliolata sp. nov.) are established on the basis of morphological characters combined with the molecular data. The phylogenetic results indicate the relationships ((Episymploce + Blattella) + Centrocolumna gen. nov.) + Symploce. Furthermore, we delimited the taxonomic status of 12 new combinations, which involve Centrocolumna gen. nov., Episymploce, Symploce, and Blattella.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e71492

Authors: Paulo Cézar Salgado Barroso, Rodolpho Santos Telles Menezes, Marcio Luiz de Oliveira, Alexandre Somavilla

Abstract: For the Neotropical genus Angiopolybia Araujo 1946, several phenotypic forms were previously described, however, they have not been studied within an integrative taxonomic framework. Here, we used molecular data (variation of two mitochondrial genetic markers with molecular species delimitation methods) and morphology (adult morphology, male genitalia, and scanning electron microscopy images) to test the number of species within Angiopolybia. Specifically, we investigated the taxonomic validity of the morphological variants A. pallens dark morph, A. paraensis morph paraensis, A. paraensis morph ruficornis, and A. paraensis morph obscurior. Moreover, we reviewed the taxonomy and geographic distribution of the genus. Our results of morphological and molecular analyses are compatible with the current classification of Angiopolybia, and we did not find reasons to propose the morphological variants of A. pallens and A. paraensis as valid species. Additionally, we reassess the spatial range of the four Angiopolybia species and provide refined maps of their geographical distributions.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.80.e76339

Authors: Álvaro Laborda, Leticia Bidegaray-Batista, Miguel Simó, Antonio Domingos Brescovit, Carolina Beloso, Luis Norberto Piacentini

Abstract: The taxonomy and systematics of the subfamily Allocosinae are poorly known, especially in South America. In the last century, several species have been described in genera from other subfamilies or transferred to them creating great confusion in the knowledge of Allocosinae. In this study we propose the new genus, Abaycosa gen. nov. to contain two species previously described, Orinocosa paraguensis (Gertsch & Wallace 1937) and Pardosa nanica Mello-Leitão 1941. Additionally, we propose two synonyms, Pardosa flammula Mello-Leitão 1945 as a junior synonym of Abaycosa nanica (Mello-Leitão 1941), comb. nov. and Alopecosa rosea Mello-Leitão 1945 as a junior synonym of Abaycosa paraguensis (Gertsch & Wallace 1937), comb. nov. The results of the phylogenetic analysis using molecular characters place Abaycosa in the subfamily Allocosinae, which is also supported by morphological data. Abaycosa can be distinguished from the remaining Allocosinae by the following characters: in males by the presence of only one distal macrosetae and a patch of flat setae on the tip of the cymbium, in females by the ventral position of the vulval chamber and by the short and stout stalk of the spermathecae.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e70234

Authors: Lucas A. Jennings, April M. H. Blakeslee, Krista A. McCoy, Donald C. Behringer, Jamie Bojko

Abstract: Abstract This study provides a broad phylogenetic analysis for the Eubrachyura, with the inclusion of three new Panopeidae mitochondrial genomes: Eurypanopeus depressus (flatback mud crab) (15,854bp), Panopeus herbstii (Atlantic mud crab) (15,812bp) and Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Harris, or ‘white-fingered’ mud crab) (15,892bp). These new mitogenomes were analyzed alongside all available brachyuran mitochondrial genomes (n = 113), comprising 80 genera from 29 families, to provide an updated phylogenetic analysis of the infra-order Brachyura (“true crabs”). Our analyses support the subsection Potamoida within the Eubrachyura as the sister group to Thoracotremata. The family Panopeidae aligns with the family Xanthidae to form the Xanthoidea branch, which is supported by current morphological and genetic taxonomy. A unique gene arrangement termed ‘XanGO’ was identified for the panopeids and varies relative to other members of the subsection Heterotremata (within the Eubrachyura) via a transposition of the trnV gene. This gene arrangement is novel and is shared between several Xanthoidea species, including Etisus anaglyptus (hairy spooner crab), Atergatis floridus (brown egg crab), and Atergatis integerrimus (red egg crab), suggesting that it is a conserved gene arrangement within the Xanthoidea superfamily. Our study further reveals a need for taxonomic revision of some brachyuran groups, particularly the Sesarmidae. The inclusion of panopeid mitogenomes into the greater brachyuran phylogeny increases our understanding of crab evolution and higher level Eubrachyuran systematics.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e68203

Authors: Sayali D. Sheth, Hemant V. Ghate, Neelesh Dahanukar, Jiří Hájek

Abstract: Abstract The diving beetle genus Peschetius Guignot, 1942 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in India is reviewed. Integrative taxonomic approach using morphology, multivariate morphometry and genetic analysis of cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 revealed the presence of four species, two of which are described here as new: Peschetius bistroemi sp. nov. from southern Western Ghats (Kerala) differs from all known congeners with distinctly broadened male antennomeres IV and V, shape of the prosternal process and the male genitalia; P. nilssoni sp. nov. from northern Western Ghats, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh is similar to the widespread Indian P. toxophorus Guignot, 1942, from which it differs in habitus, elytral colour pattern and the shape of the male genitalia. New records are presented for the remaining Indian species, namely P. quadricostatus (Aubé, 1838) and P. toxophorus. All species are diagnosed, illustrated and a key to their identification is provided.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e65325

Authors: Lech Karpiński, Wojciech T. Szczepański, Radosław Plewa, Lech Kruszelnicki, Katarzyna Koszela, Jacek Hilszczanski

Abstract: This paper sheds the first light on the phylogeny of the Central Asian genus Turanium Baeckmann, 1922. By applying an integrative taxonomy approach, we revealed and described a new species from Kyrgyzstan—Turanium losi Karpiński, Plewa & Hilszczański sp. nov. Distinguishing characters from closely related Turanium pilosum (Reitter, 1891) are presented and their ecological associations are discussed. The key characters, including the male terminalia, were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. High-quality stacked photographs of the habitus of the specimens are presented for both species and their geographical distributions are mapped. While the new species shows stable morphological characters that allow its differentiation from T. pilosum and the COI genetic distance between them is approx. 3%, the different species delimitation methods gave discordant results. Although the new species remained unrecognized for so long, it seems that these cerambycids are common in the region and both can be considered potentially invasive as they are apparently highly polyphagous. It has also been documented that they occur sympatrically in Kyrgyzstan. Both the Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of COI sequences confirmed the monophyly of the genus Turanium with strong support (PP 1 and BS 90, respectively). Moreover, the recently revealed polyphyly of the tribe Callidiini was supported by our analyses and, consequently, the discussion on the establishment of a new tribe Ropalopini is raised. This study further corroborates the effectiveness of DNA barcoding as a tool in detecting new species and provides some of the first sequences for Central Asian cerambycids, which remain almost completely unknown in terms of molecular studies.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e64252

Authors: Beniamin Wacławik, Francesco Nugnes, Umberto Bernardo, Marco Gebiola, Maja Przybycień, Dorota Lachowska-Cierlik

Abstract: Abstract The subgenus Liophloeus Weise, 1894 of Liophloeus Germar, 1817 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Polydrusini) consists of five morphologically similar species traditionally diagnosed based on the shape of the aedeagus. However, traits of the genital apparatus exhibit substantial and overlapping inter- and intraspecific variation. All five species have the same ecological requirements and occur in central and eastern Europe, mostly in montane areas. The focus of this work was to verify the taxonomic status and validity of Liophloeodes species using a combination of molecular and morphometric techniques. Specimens were collected from the entire distribution range and initially assigned to a species according to the aedeagal shape. Genetic diversity and phylogeny of the subgenus were studied using three molecular markers (two ribosomal, 28S-D2 and ITS2, and one mitochondrial, COI). Moreover, several morphological characters were used for multivariate morphometric analyses. Finally, presence and prevalence of bacterial endosymbionts among species were investigated. Phylogenies based on ribosomal markers suggest that traditional species are correctly delimited, whereas COI phylogeny suggests hybridization and introgression occurring between Liophloeodes species. Morphometric analyses confirmed low interspecific diversity. Two major bacterial endosymbionts, Rickettsia and Wolbachia, were detected in many populations. We argue that Liophloeodes consists of young lineages whose evolution and diversification was possibly mediated by cyclic climate change events.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e66319

Authors: Simeon Borislavov Borissov, Georgi Hristov Hristov, Dragan Petrov Chobanov

Abstract: Abstract Parthenogenetic lineages are known to rapidly colonize large areas that become available after glacial periods as parthenogenetic reproduction is beneficial over mating when the favorable season is very short. The only obligatory parthenogenetic species of the largest bush-cricket subfamily Phaneropterinae is Poecilimon intermedius. It belongs to the Anatolio-Balkan lineage Poecilimon ampliatus species group and in contrast has a remarkably broad distribution from Central Europe to China, following the pattern of geographical parthenogenesis. In this study we provide a systematic revision of the P. ampliatus group based on mitochondrial (ND2) and nuclear (ITS) phylogeny. We estimate divergence times by applying secondary calibration on the ND2 tree to test for congruence between recent splits in the group and the Pleistocene climatic oscillations. We use ecological niche modelling to analyze the ecological requirements of the parthenogenetic P. intermedius and its sexually reproducing sister species P. ampliatus. By projecting on the conditions during the Last Glacial Maximum we outline the suitable areas for both species during the glacial cycles and discuss range shifts in response to climate change. Based on all results we hypothesize that the drought-tolerant P. intermedius originated during the recent glaciations in the southwestern part of its current range and rapidly radiated in a northeastern direction. Its sister species P. ampliatus, which is adapted to higher levels of precipitation, remained in the western Balkans, where populations retreated to higher altitudes during warming.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e64325

Authors: Massimo Meregalli, Manfred Kahlen, Riccardo Monguzzi, Valentina Marzia Rossi, Alfredo Santovito

Abstract: Dichotrachelus orobicus, a new species from the Bergamasque Prealps, is described. It is closely related to D. grignensis from the Grigna Massif, from which it differs mainly in the COI and ITS2 sequences, and minute morphological characters. Remarks on the possible epoch of speciation between the two taxa, with an analysis of the biogeographic scenario that may have led to the disjunction, are discussed.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e62554

Authors: Derek S. Sikes, Logan J. Mullen

Abstract: Abstract The omaliine rove beetle genus Phlaeopterus Motschulsky, 1853 contains 22 species. The genus is distributed across northwestern North America and eastern Asia. These beetles occur primarily along the edges of alpine snowfields and streams, habitats that are particularly sensitive to the impacts of climate change. Two species have not been collected since 1979 and 1984, one of which, Phlaeopterus bakerensis Mullen and Campbell, 2018, is a contender for the largest-bodied species among the over 1,600 species of the subfamily Omaliinae. Here, we present the first phylogeny of the genus, using Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses based on DNA sequences from the mitochondrial gene COI and morphological data. We tested previous taxonomic hypotheses and most were rejected by all three analyses. Phlaeopterus castaneus Casey, 1893 is non-monophyletic based on COI sequences and may have hybridized with P. loganensis Hatch, 1957. We found support for the monophyly of the genus Phlaeopterus. Our analyses suggest the common ancestor of the genus had small-bodied adults (maximum body size under 5 mm) with ocelli. Within this small-bodied radiation of species, ocelli were lost once and there were two separate evolutionary transitions to large-bodied adults. Although all the large-bodied species are snowfield-associated and only 25% of the small-bodied species are, we did not find statistical support for a relationship between large body size and use of snowfield habitats. These findings represent the first modern phylogenetic reconstruction of species-level relationships within the rove beetle subfamily Omaliinae using both morphological and molecular data.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e66966

Authors: Stephanie Haddad, Nayeli Gutiérrez, Felipe A. Noguera, Seunggwan Shin, Petr Svacha, Duane D. McKenna

Abstract: Taxonomic placement of the enigmatic monotypic Mexican longhorned beetle genus Vesperoctenus Bates is examined through inclusion in and reanalysis of the dataset of Haddad et al. (2018, Systematic Entomology 43: 68–89). We describe and discuss the phylogenetic significance of the internal structures of a recently collected V. flohri female from the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range in Mexico, the same specimen from which phylogenomic data was generated. Our phylogenomic analyses (469 genes) recovered Vesperoctenus with maximal statistical support within the cerambyciform family Vesperidae, sister to Vesperus Dejean (Vesperinae). Vesperus + Vesperoctenus were recovered sister to Philinae, and collectively form a clade sister to Anoplodermatinae. Thus, we place V. flohri within Vesperidae: Vesperinae: Vesperoctenini based on analyses of large-scale phylogenomic data. Finally, we propose that the conservation status of V. flohri merits assessment.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e66021

Authors: Vasily V. Grebennikov

Abstract: Abstract The weevil genus Typoderus is for the first time reported west of the Congo basin. Analysis of 2,136 aligned positions from one mitochondrial and two nuclear fragments revealed a moderately supported clade of five new Cameroonian species: T. amphion sp. nov. (Mt. Oku), T. canthus sp. nov. (Mt. Oku), T. clytius sp. nov. (Mt. Cameroon), T. iphitus sp. nov. (Mt. Kupe) and T. telamon sp. nov. (Mt. Kupe). Molecular clock analysis of 20 DNA barcode fragments using a fixed substitution rate estimated divergences within this clade to be during the Middle to Late Miocene (10.5–5.4 million years ago, MYA), which pre-dates the onset of the Pliocene-Pleistocene global climatic fluctuations and corresponding cycles of African forest size fluctuation. Such relatively old dates are unexpected and might reflect four unavoidable shortcomings of the temporal analysis: 1. undersampled ingroup, 2. scarcity of comparative temporal data for other animal clades from the Cameroon Volcanic Line, 3. oversimplification of a fixed-rate molecular clock approach using a single maternally-inherited protein-coding marker and 4. possible overestimation of comparatively old ages when using largely saturated mitochondrial sequences. Two obscure weevil species from the Republic of the Congo are hypothesized to belong to the genus Typoderus: T. distinctus (Hoffmann, 1968) comb. nov. (from Anchonidium subgenus Neoanchonidium) and T. baloghi (Hoffmann, 1968) comb. nov. (from Anchonidium subgenus Subanchonidium). Three genus-group names are newly synonymized under Typoderus: Entypoderus Voss, 1965 syn. nov. (the only non-nominative subgenus of Typoderus), Neoanchonidium Hoffmann, 1968 syn. nov. (subgenus of Anchonidium) and Subanchonidium Hoffmann, 1968 syn. nov. (subgenus of Anchonidium). Habitus images and other supplementary information of all sequenced specimens are available online at dx.doi.org/10.5883/DS-VGDS005 and dx.doi.org/10.5883/DS-VGDS006.

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DOI: 10.3897/asp.79.e64304

Authors: Alexandre Somavilla, Paulo C. S. Barroso, Marcos Aragão, Sidnei Mateus, Rodolpho S. T. Menezes

Abstract: Phenotypic characters are traditionally the main information for species discrimination in taxonomic studies of invertebrates. However, the presence of inter- and intraspecific polymorphism makes it difficult to identify species in many groups such as Neotropical social wasps. Herein, we examined different sources of biological information such as adult morphology, male genitalia, nest architecture, and genetic data applying an integrative taxonomic approach to study pinned museum specimens belonging to the social wasp genus Pseudopolybia de Saussure, 1863. Based on multiple independent lines of evidence, we described a new Neotropical swarm-founding social wasp, Pseudopolybia cryptica sp. n. Moreover, we proposed a phylogenetic hypothesis for Pseudopolybia including this new species. Our taxonomic findings applying an integrative approach reinforce that the social wasp diversity in the Neotropics may be underestimated due to morphological similarity.

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