Phylogeography and DNA-based species delimitation provide insight into the taxonomy of the polymorphic rose chafer Protaetia (Potosia) cuprea species complex (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) in the Western Palearctic

Abstract

The development of modern methods of species delimitation, unified under the “integrated taxonomy” approach, allows a critical examination and re-evaluation of complex taxonomic groups. The rose chafer Protaetia (Potosia) cuprea is a highly polymorphic species group with a large distribution range. Despite its overall commonness, its taxonomy is unclear and subject to conflicting hypotheses, most of which largely fail to account for its evolutionary history. Based on the sequences of two mitochondrial markers from 65 individuals collected across the species range, and a detailed analysis of morphological characters including a geometric morphometry approach, we infer the evolutionary history and phylogeography of the P. cuprea species complex. Our results demonstrate the existence of three separate lineages in the Western Palearctic region, presumably with a species status. However, these lineages are in conflict with current taxonomic concepts. None of the 29 analyzed morphological characters commonly used in the taxonomy of this group proved to be unambiguously species- or subspecies- specific. The geometric morphometry analysis reveals a large overlap in the shape of the analyzed structures (pronotum, meso-metaventral projection, elytra and aedeagus), failing to identify either the genetically detected clades or the classical species entities. Our results question the monophyly of P. cuprea in regard to P. cuprina, as well as the species status of P. metallica. On the other hand, we found support for the species status of the Sicilian P. hypocrita. Collectively, our findings provide a new and original insight into the taxonomy and phylogeny of the P. cuprea species complex. At the same time, the results represent the first attempt to elucidate the phylogeography of these polymorphic beetles.

The Challenge of DNA Barcoding Saproxylic Beetles in Natural History Collections—Exploring the Potential of Parallel Multiplex Sequencing With Illumina MiSeq

“…In the complex of Protaetia cuprea-a well-studied European flower beetle taxon-P. metallica is a morphologically, geographically and biologically recognized distinct species (Tauzin, 2015). Here, we found however a low genetic divergence between P. metallica and other representatives of P. cuprea (different subspecies were sampled in this study: P. cuprea cuprea, P. cuprea olivacea, P cuprea bourgini), which is consistent with what was previously highlighted in Rougerie et al (2015) and more recently in Vondráček et al (2018) from both COI and CytB markers. The later authors actually questioned the specific status of P. metallica.…”

New species of Xiphoscelis Burmeister, 1842 (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) from arid regions of South Africa and Namibia

“…Partial sequences of the mitochondrial protein coding gene cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) were used in the study. For a detailed description of the laboratory protocol see Vondráček et al (2018). The larval sequences proved to be identical to those of the adults (100% match).…”

The genus Platynectes (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Agabinae) in Central America, with the discovery of the northernmost Neotropical species in Oaxaca, Mexico, and nomenclatural notes on the subgenus Agametrus

“…For details about the laboratory protocols, follow Vondráček, Tkoč et al (2018), including primers and PCR protocol for the barcode region. For the amplification details of the 3' region of cox1, follow Vondráček, Fuchsová et al (2018). Obtained sequences of the 3' region of cox1 were submitted to the GenBank (NCBI) under the accession numbers given in Fig.…”