Genetic variability of two ecomorphological forms of Stenus Latreille, 1797 in Iran, with notes on the infrageneric classification of the genus (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Steninae)

Abstract

In this study, the genetic diversity of Iranian populations of two widespread Stenus species representing two ecomorphological forms, the “open living species” Stenus erythrocnemus Eppelsheim, 1884 and the “stratobiont” Stenus callidus Baudi di Selve, 1848, is presented using data from a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene. We evaluate the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I haplotypes and the intraspecific genetic distance of these two species. Our results reveal a very low diversity of COI sequences in Stenus erythrocnemus in contrast to Stenus callidus. Moreover, the COI based phylogeny of a selection of Iranian Stenus support the monophyly of some species groups of Stenus proposed by Puthz (2008) and contradicts the traditional infrageneric classification.

Cretaceous origin of the unique prey-capture apparatus in mega-diverse genus: stem lineage of Steninae rove beetles discovered in Burmese amber

“…The genus Stenus has traditionally been classified into five non-monophyletic subgenera based on several morphological characters2526, which has recently been confirmed as an artificial division by molecular studies2427. Currently Stenus is divided into a large number of presumably monophyletic species groups based on their morphology26 and a COI based phylogeny2427. Similarly, the genus Dianous is divided into two species groups based on the morphology of the frons28.…”

“…At present there is not a single phylogenetic hypothesis of the origin and evolution of Stenus , while such data for Steninae as a whole are very limited and conflicting. The genus Stenus has traditionally been classified into five non-monophyletic subgenera based on several morphological characters 25 26 , which has recently been confirmed as an artificial division by molecular studies 24 27 . Currently Stenus is divided into a large number of presumably monophyletic species groups based on their morphology 26 and a COI based phylogeny 24 27 .…”