Geographic Distribution and Niche Divergence of Two Stinkbugs,Parastrachia japonensisandParastrachia nagaensis

Abstract

Parastrachiidae is a small stinkbug family containing only one genus and two species, Parastrachia japonensis (Scott) (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomoidea) and Parastrachia nagaensis Distant. The geographic distribution of the genus has been poorly studied. Niche conservatism refers to that idea that closely related species are more ecologically similar than would be expected, whereas niche divergence predicts they occupy distinct niche spaces. The existence of only two species within one genus suggests niche conservatism or differentiation might exist among them. Herein, the distribution of the genus was mapped, potential distributions were predicted using ecological niche modeling, and climate spaces occupied by the two species were identified and compared. Our outlined map supports the general spreading route proposed by Schaefer et al. The potential distributions suggest that the genus’ range could extend beyond its presently known distribution, and further investigation into this area could aid in their conservation, particularly P. nagaensis. The niche space inferred by ecological niche modeling suggests the two species do not occupy identical habitat, but the differences between their models could simply be due to the differential availability of habitat in the different regions that they occupy.

Molecular and Morphological Inference of Three Cryptic Species within the Merodon aureus Species Group (Diptera: Syrphidae)

“…Environmental niche modelling (ENM) uses widely available environmental and georeferenced distribution data [ 19 ], and it has proven useful as a tool to help estimate niche conservatism or niche divergence among related taxa [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Several studies have shown that degrees of ecological difference constitute important evidence in distinguishing species [ 4 , 8 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Environmental niche divergence of species from Merodon ruficornis group (Diptera: Syrphidae)

“…Recent research has clearly demonstrated the role of ecology in the speciation process [7,31,37,54,55]. It is clear that a species' range is influenced by its ecological niche [56], which is defined by the combination of environmental conditions and resources that are necessary for an organism to maintain a viable population [57].…”

“…large-scale climatic changes in geological history), they have three possible solutions: evolve, change range or become extinct [1]. There are a large number of examples showing insect species that have changed range and/or evolved as a response to repeated isolation during glaciation-interglaciation cycles [2][3][4][5][6][7]. In the Western Palearctic, there are multiple glacial refugia: southern Europe (Iberian, Apennine and Balkan peninsulas), the Anatolian Peninsula and southern Caucasus [2,8,9].…”

“…It allows comparison of environmental niches among investigated taxa to determine if they differ and if they do, to what degree. Additionally, it can isolate environmental parameters correlated with speciation [29] and can contribute to investigation of the environmental limits of taxa, suitable environments for protected or invasive species and species delimitation [7,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38].…”

Ecology and conservation of Pseudolestes mirabilis (Odonata: Zygoptera), a damselfly endemic to Hainan Island of China

“…Nonetheless, ENM has been increasingly used for characterizing the ecological requirements of species (e.g., Owens et al 2012), conservation priority setting (e.g. Irfan-Ullah et al 2006) and other aspects of ecology and evolution Zhu et al 2012Zhu et al , 2013.…”