COI barcodes for identification of Merodon hoverflies (Diptera, Syrphidae) of Lesvos Island, Greece

Abstract

DNA barcoding has become a useful system for linking different biological life stages, and for identification of species within a known taxonomic framework. In this study, we generated mitochondrial DNA COI barcodes using adult specimens of all 22 species of the hoverfly genus Merodon (Diptera, Syrphidae) occurring on Lesvos island (Greece). The generated COI barcodes could well discriminate between all Merodon taxa of Lesvos, except for M. loewi and M. papillus that shared the same haplotype, despite their clear morphological differences. In addition, the barcodes revealed two cases of hitherto unknown morphologically cryptic species close to M. avidus and M. nigritarsis, respectively. Because only few successful rearings of immature stages of Merodon hoverflies are available, the larval host plant remains unknown for these phytophagous taxa. The obtained COI barcode library for the Merodon spp. of Lesvos will constitute a tool to link any unknown immature stages with already known species, and thus provide important life-history information and promise for ecological studies.

Defining species boundaries in the Merodon avidus complex (Diptera, Syrphidae) using integrative taxonomy, with the description of a new species

“…nov.), previously revealed by Ståhls et al (2009 Popović et al 2014Popović et al , 2015 can be explained by recent speciation and by the founder effect associated with postglacial recolonization of northern Europe (Shikano et al 2010). Both species share an identical haplotype of the COI 3'-end (Popović et al 2014), although the 5'-end fragment haplotypes of DNA barcodes are not shared, they give low support in cluster analyses (Popović et al 2015).…”

“…nova 2 in Ståhls et al (2009) and Ricarte et al (2012). Ståhls et al (2009) assumed it to be a distinct species based on the different COI barcode sequences obtained from two specimens morphologically similar to M. avidus taken from Lesvos Island. In the key prepared as supporting material for Ståhls et al (2009), M. avidus and M. sp.…”

“…Ståhls et al (2009) assumed it to be a distinct species based on the different COI barcode sequences obtained from two specimens morphologically similar to M. avidus taken from Lesvos Island. In the key prepared as supporting material for Ståhls et al (2009), M. avidus and M. sp. nova 2 key out together, without any morphological differences being described.…”

“…Furthermore, it is important to note that species of the M. avidus complex are not distinguishable by traditional visual identification of the structures of male genitalia under a stereo microscope. Additionally, in their analysis of COI barcodes of all Merodon species from Lesvos Island (Greece), Ståhls et al (2009) revealed the presence of one cryptic taxon (Merodon sp. nova 2, herein described as M. megavidus sp.…”

“…Taxa of the Merodon avidus complex have been the subject of many studies in the last decade due to perceived taxonomic difficulties (Milankov et al 2001Ståhls et al 2009). The M. avidus complex is characterized by a considerable morphological variability, especially in the coloration of the antennae, thorax, abdomen and legs (Popović et al 2015).…”