Molecular and morphological characterization in Praon dorsale-yomenae species complex (Hymenoptera, Braconidae)

Abstract

Molecular and morphological variability of Praon dorsale-yomenae species complex was analyzed using the three independent methods: "traditional" morphometrics, geometric morphometrics and DNA sequence analysis of two gene regions (COI mtDNA and 28S D2). For morphometric analysis we used 421 specimens (270 females and 151 males) reared from about 30 different species of aphid hosts throughout Palaearctic. Molecular analysis included 47 specimens in association with different aphid hosts. Discriminant Canonical Analysis was performed in order to determine which characters were informative for morphological diferentiation of analyzed taxa. To explore differences in wing shape between species we performed Canonical Variate Analysis. Variation in wing shape among biotypes was investigated using Principal Component Analysis. We found that great variablity in wing shape of P. dorsale and P. longicorne biotypes was influenced by the host, while great effect of geographical distribution was noticed between P. yomenae biotypes. Analysis of wing shape demonstrated that "dorsale-yomenae" species can be morphologically discriminated on the basis of length of forewing radial and recurrent vein. Geometric morphometrics applied to visualize subtle shape differences had more sensitivity than "traditional" morphometrics in distiguishing taxa within "dorsale-yomenae" group. We tested the validity of morphological characteristics previously used for identification in "dorsale-yomenae" group, also indicating a new characters that could be used in identification keys. Different colour patterns of wing venation in "dorsale-yomenae" species complex were found. On the basis of molecular results P. longicorne, P. dorsale, P. yomenae and P. volucre was confirmed as separate species. We presented a new tritrophic association for P. dorsale. A new parasitoid species from Staticobium limonii infesting Limonium angustifolium was described. P. megourae was not confirmed as separate species using molecular markers, thus the clarification of its status requires further research.

Wing Shape Variation between Terrestrial and Coastal Populations of the Invasive Box Tree Moth, Cydalima perspectalis, in Croatia

“…Insect wings have emerged as pivotal structures for morphometric research due to their inherent two-dimensionality and transparency [27,43,44]. This unique wing quality has enabled researchers to delve into essential aspects of insect biology, such as determining population structure in cases where genetic markers may be insufficient [45,46].…”