Cryptic diversity within grass-associated Abacarus species complex (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), with the description of a new species, Abacarus plumiger n. sp.

Abstract

Accurate estimation of species richness is often complex as genetic divergence is not always accompanied by appreciable morphological differentiation. In consequence, cryptic lineages or species evolve. Cryptic speciation is common especially in taxa characterized by small and simplified bodies, what makes their proper identification challenging. The cereal rust mite, Abacarus hystrix, was regarded for a long time as a species associated with a wide range of grass hosts, whereas wide host ranges are rather rare in eriophyoid mites. Therefore, the generalist status of A. hystrix was questioned. In this paper we demonstrate that the diversity within Abacarus species associated with grasses is more complex than it was previously thought. The 78 Abacarus mtDNA COI sequences used in this study formed 10 highly supported clades (bootstrap value 99%) and four more distinct genetic lineages were represented by unique sequences. The genetic distances between them ranged from 6.6 to 26.5%. Moreover, morphological study and genetic approach based on the combination of the Poisson Tree Processes model for species delimitation (PTP) and a Bayesian implementation of PTP (bPTP), and Neighbour Joining analyses led to delimitation of a new species within the Abacarus complex: Abacarus plumiger, specialized on smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Furthermore, our analyses demonstrated a pattern of host-associated differentiation within the complex. Overall, our study indicates that cryptic speciation occurs in the grass-associated Abacarus genus, and suggests the need for more extensive sampling using integrative methods.

A comprehensive and cost-effective approach for investigating passive dispersal in minute invertebrates with case studies of phytophagous eriophyid mites

“…They are known to disperse passively via wind currents or vectors, infest a wide range of grass species (both cultivated and wild) and cause important economic damage to cereal crops (Frost and Ridland 1996 ; Sabelis and Bruin 1996 ; Navia et al 2010 ). Both species also represent complexes of cryptic species, consisting of multiple genetically divergent lineages differing in their host plant ranges (Skoracka et al 2018a ; Laska et al 2018 ). In this study we worked with the CRM complex 2 associated with wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and quackgrass ( Elymus repens ) (Laska et al 2018 ), and with the most globally distributed WCM lineage (herein MT-1, also known as type 2) associated with cereals (Skoracka et al 2014 , 2017 , 2018b ).…”

“…Both species also represent complexes of cryptic species, consisting of multiple genetically divergent lineages differing in their host plant ranges (Skoracka et al 2018a ; Laska et al 2018 ). In this study we worked with the CRM complex 2 associated with wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and quackgrass ( Elymus repens ) (Laska et al 2018 ), and with the most globally distributed WCM lineage (herein MT-1, also known as type 2) associated with cereals (Skoracka et al 2014 , 2017 , 2018b ). Experimental individuals of both species were obtained from laboratory stock colonies reared (each species separately) for several years on wheat in the laboratory of the Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.…”

Eriophyid Mites in Classical Biological Control of Weeds: Progress and Challenges

“…complex [73]. Studies of other taxa have reported a range of interspecific and intraspecific distances, but without a gap analysis (e.g., [53,57,74,75]).…”

Temperature-dependent development and survival of an invasive genotype of wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella

“…Mites in the superfamily Eriophyoidea, numbering over 5000 species and characterized by their minute size (< 300 µm), relatively simple morphology, and obligate herbivory, are becoming widely recognized as globally adventive or invasive species (Navia et al 2010). Their importance in the fields of agriculture and ecology has grown in the wake of recent significant advancements in microscopy and molecular biology that facilitate improved taxonomic (Navajas and Navia 2009;Monfreda et al 2010;de Lillo et al 2010;Chetverikov et al 2015;Skoracka et al 2015;Laska et al 2018), behavioral (Skoracka et al 2007;Michalska et al 2010;Kiedrowicz et al 2017;Laska et al 2019), and other studies of these tiny, fascinating beasts. Many eriophyoid species have been recorded as agricultural pests, either due to their own feeding or as vectors of plant diseases (Navia et al 2010;de Lillo et al 2018).…”