Three species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) newly recorded from the Republic of Korea

Abstract

Light trap surveys of adult Culicoides Latreille in the Republic of Korea (ROK) resulted in the capture of three previously unreported species, C. nasuensis Kitaoka, C. pallidulus Yu and C. jacobsoni Macfie. These new records are supported by supplementary morphological descriptions and DNA barcodes (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I or COI). An updated checklist of species reported from the ROK is provided.

Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) taxonomy: Current challenges and future directions

“…Conversely, some species regarded by morphologists as valid have been unable to be distinguished by genetic analysis e.g. C. circumscriptus Kieffer, 1918, C. manchuriensis Tokunaga, 1941 and C. salinarius Kieffer, 1914 ( Ander et al, 2013; Bellis et al, 2013a ), while, the specific status of C. deltus Edwards, 1939 and C. lupicaris Downes and Kettle (1952) is still controversial and needs to be resolved ( Meiswinkel et al, 2004a; Nielsen and Kristensen, 2011; Ramilo et al, 2013 ).…”

“…The increasing emphasis on producing at least partially validated sequence data is a step towards reference sequences for species and to a degree combats the proliferation of unauthenticated sequence data held on GenBank which, where investigated, has been found to be unreliable ( James Harris, 2003; Nilsson et al, 2006 ). Conflict between species assignments and genetic similarities have already been identified for several Culicoides entries in GenBank ( Ander et al, 2013; Bellis et al, 2013a ), which could be the result of either misidentifications, evidence of synonymous species or an inability of COI analyses to separate these species. The CBOL initiative also emphasises the importance of retaining morphological ‘vouchers’ for all sequenced specimens as these constitute an essential link between the genetic data and the taxonomic classification enabling verification of identifications and cross-referencing of any subsequent specimens ( Pleijel et al, 2008 ).…”

“…Avaritia ( Ander et al, 2013; Bellis et al, 2014a; Jan Debila, 2010; Linton et al, 2002 ), C. subg. Culicoides ( Ander et al, 2013; Lassen et al, 2012 ), the Immaculatus group ( Bellis et al, 2013a ), the Schultzei group ( Bakoum et al, 2013; Morag et al, 2012 ) and the Coronalis, Molestus and Kusaiensis groups ( Bellis et al, 2013a ), there are indications that variation in this region is insufficient for delimitations of species within at least some other subgenera e.g. C. subg.…”

“…The widespread availability of internet connectivity in addition to digital imaging facilities also enables an unprecedented level of connectivity between ecologists, taxonomists and any other workers with an interest in Culicoides , enabling second opinions to be readily sought and material compared without the need to physically move specimens between labs ( Ang et al, 2013; Beaman and Cellinese, 2012; Smith and Blagoderov, 2012 ), which is particularly important where movement of specimens is problematic due to biodiversity legislation ( Schindel, 2010 ). Bioinformatics tools for the free online dissemination of linked morphological and genetic data exist via BOLD ( Ratnasingham and Hebert, 2007 ), and data from several Culicoides studies have already been deposited and made publicly available via BOLD ( Bellis et al, 2013a, 2013b, 2014a ). GenBank also provides the utility, although more limited than that of BOLD, to link morphological specimen data to sequence data records ( Federhen et al, 2009 ).…”

“…It is this area, however, that molecular tools perhaps have the most to offer with regard to identifying conspecific life-stages and sexes of specimens for which morphological identification is either difficult or impossible ( Bellis et al, 2013b ). The use of molecular data has also proven useful for the identification of Culicoides specimens which have been damaged during collection preventing conclusive morphological identification ( Bellis et al, 2013a ).…”