Deep Interisland Genetic Divergence in the Macaronesian Endemic MosquitoOchlerotatus eatoni(Diptera: Culicidae), Indication of Cryptic Species

Abstract

Ochlerotatus eatoni (Edwards, 1916) is a species endemic to Canary and Madeira Islands that, based on morphology, is considered to be single species. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequence data demonstrate that the populations from Tenerife and Madeira Islands are highly differentiated (F(ST) = 0.93). The phylogenetic analysis also separates the two populations into two highly distinct groups. The sharp mitochondrial genetic differentiation between islands is congruent with the published nuclear (allozyme) data. However, mtDNA data did not reveal any significant genetic differentiation within islands. Extreme interisland genetic divergence, but lack of morphological variation, is indicative of the existence of cryptic species. I suggest the elevation of populations to at least incipient species status, designating the populations from Tenerife and Madeira Islands as Oc. eatoni. hewitti and Oc. eatoni. krimbasi, respectively.

Comparative Phylogeography and Integrative Taxonomy of Ochlerotatus caspius (Dipera: Culicidae) and Ochlerotatus dorsalis

“…Likewise, different alleles at the Est loci observed in the Palearctic and Nearctic populations suggested the presence of independent genetic pools (Milankov et al 2000). Supposedly cryptic species within O. dorsalis might show (again) that cryptic speciation is a widespread phenomenon in Culicidae, as it was already well documented (e.g., Puslednik et al 2012, Khadem 2015, Guo et al 2018.…”

Review of the Genus Sycanus Amyot & Serville, 1843 (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae), from China Based on DNA Barcoding and Morphological Evidence

“…The prolonged geographic separation between islands and the mainland has resulted in the isolation of the biota found on these islands. In response to the challenges posed by the islands’ environment, radiation adaptations swiftly occur, ultimately leading to speciation events [ 15 , 17 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. As a result, the continental islands, as natural laboratories of evolution, are distributed with many island endemic species that have become isolated from their mainland counterparts [ 42 , 43 , 44 ].…”

“…Since the 21st century, DNA barcoding technology that utilizes the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) has emerged as a pivotal tool in insect identification, species delimitation, and species divergence evolution [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. The integrative taxonomic method especially, which combines DNA barcoding molecular data and morphological evidence, is one of the developments in modern insect taxonomy and could provide clarity regarding the taxonomic status of species [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…Since the 21st century, DNA barcoding technology that utilizes the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) has emerged as a pivotal tool in insect identification, species delimitation, and species divergence evolution [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. The integrative taxonomic method especially, which combines DNA barcoding molecular data and morphological evidence, is one of the developments in modern insect taxonomy and could provide clarity regarding the taxonomic status of species [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. However, several studies have also demonstrated that DNA barcoding technology may not always be effective in resolving species delimitation and, in some cases, lead to an overestimation of species diversity or the potential suppression of the traditional morphological taxonomy [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Genetic variation in a colonization specialist, Simulium ruficorne (Diptera: Simuliidae), the world’s most widely distributed black fly

“…Understanding the biotic composition and colonization history of islands depends on the clarity and precision with which taxa and their relationships are recognized. Island populations that appear structurally similar to mainland or other island populations can be endemic, cryptic members of a species complex [ 4 , 5 ]. Alternatively, populations that are structurally divergent, for example in color or size, can be conspecific with mainland populations, the differences reflecting founder effects and local selection [ 6 ].…”