Geometric morphometrics reveal male genitalia differences in theLasiommata megera/paramegaeracomplex (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) and the lack of a predicted hybridization area in the Tuscan Archipelago

Abstract

Geometric morphometrics reveal male genitalia differences in the Lasiommata megera/paramegaera complex (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) and the lack of a predicted hybridization area in the Tuscan Archipelago L. Dapporto AbstractThe recognition of specific demarcation between allopatric populations, as for island endemics, is particularly difficult according to the Biological Concept of Species. However, the recognition of the specific status of island taxa is decisive in evaluating important areas of endemism for conservation purposes. The recent taxonomic inflation of European butterfly species calls into question the validity and objectivity of taxonomic practices, and of databases dependent on them, which are used in biogeography and conservation. In this paper I applied rigorous morphometric analyses instead of visual evaluation to solve the long debated question of whether Lasiommata paramegaera butterfly from Sardinia and Corsica should be considered as a separated entity from the widespread Lasiommata megera. First, I carried out analyses of male genitalia shape comparing the populations from Corsica and Tuscany. Thereafter, I also searched for possible hybridization evidence in the sole area where it is strongly predicted: the Tuscan Archipelago. These islands are located between Tuscany and Corsica and there is large evidence of a continuous immigration of butterflies from these two main sources. I found that Corsican L. paramegaera and Tuscan L. megera can be clearly distinguished on the basis of genitalia shape. Furthermore, the Lasiommata population of each islet clearly maintains the characteristics of one of the two species without evidence of intermediate individuals. In conclusion, I suggest that the two entities should be considered as separate species maintaining their homogeneity by a reduced gene flow across sea, mating avoidance and/or by some depletion of F1 hybrids in developmental or mating success.

Evaluation of criteria for species delimitation of bagworm moths (Lepidoptera: Psychidae)

“…As in other studies on Lepidoptera (Mutanen, 2005;Mutanen et al, 2007;Dapporto, 2008Dapporto, , 2010, we demonstrate that differences in male genitalia are an effective way of discriminating between species of the genera Dahlica and Siederia. In fact, the extensive use of geometric morphometrics to search for differences among taxa is strongly recommended by Mutanen & Pretorius (2007).…”

Phylogeography and counter-intuitive inferences in island biogeography: evidence from morphometric markers in the mobile butterfly Maniola jurtina (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae)

“…Geographical data for the islands are recorded in Table 1. Genitalia were dissected using standard procedures (Dapporto, 2008). Abdomens were boiled in 10% caustic potash.…”

Genitalic Differentiations in Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Gueneé) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Associated with Solanaceae Crops in Ecuador

“…This has generated a tendency for taxonomists to divide allopatric populations of the species into distinct species, based on minor morphological or karyotypic differences [8,13]. The genetic divergence and evolution of new species within the geographic range of a single population contrasts with the well-established doctrine that speciation occurs when populations become geographically isolated [15].…”

“…We analyzed 196 N. elegantalis (103 males, 93 females) collected from different S. quitoense and S. betaceum crop areas located in the Eastern and Western foothills of the Ecuadorian Andean rainforest and were analyzed to identify potential morphological intraspecific differences. Genitalia were used because such characters are much more conserved than external characters, and because they are insignificantly influenced by environmental factors [7,8]. …”