Integrating DNA barcodes and morphology for species delimitation in theCorynoneuragroup (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae)

Abstract

In this study, we use DNA barcodes for species delimitation to solve taxonomic conflicts in 86 specimens of 14 species belonging to the Corynoneura group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae), from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Molecular analysis of cytochrome c-oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences supported 14 cohesive species groups, of which two similar groups were subsequently associated with morphological variation at the pupal stage. Eleven species previously described based on morphological criteria were linked to DNA markers. Furthermore, there is the possibility that there may be cryptic species within the Corynoneura group, since one group of species presented internal grouping, although no morphological divergence was observed. Our results support DNA-barcoding as an excellent tool for species delimitation in groups where taxonomy by means of morphology is difficult or even impossible.

DNA metabarcoding adds valuable information for management of biodiversity in roadside stormwater ponds

“…Morphological identification of Diptera larvae, especially Chironomidae, is often very difficult and complicated even for specialists, due to the lack of diagnostic characters (Baloğlu et al, 2018;Dobson, 2013;Silva & Wiedenbrug, 2014). The results of the current study are in agreement with the findings of, for example, Ekrem, Stur, and Hebert (2010), Silva and Wiedenbrug (2014) and Lin, Stur, and Ekrem (2018), who found that DNA barcoding is a promising tool for identification of Diptera and Chironomidae. The results of the current study are in agreement with the findings of, for example, Ekrem, Stur, and Hebert (2010), Silva and Wiedenbrug (2014) and Lin, Stur, and Ekrem (2018), who found that DNA barcoding is a promising tool for identification of Diptera and Chironomidae.…”

“…Morphological identification of Diptera larvae, especially Chironomidae, is often very difficult and complicated even for specialists, due to the lack of diagnostic characters (Baloğlu et al, 2018;Dobson, 2013;Silva & Wiedenbrug, 2014). Morphological identification of Diptera larvae, especially Chironomidae, is often very difficult and complicated even for specialists, due to the lack of diagnostic characters (Baloğlu et al, 2018;Dobson, 2013;Silva & Wiedenbrug, 2014).…”

Cryptic species in the nuisance midge Polypedilum nubifer (Skuse (Diptera: Chironomidae) and the status of Tripedilum Kieffer

“…This value is within the range of intraspecific variation amongst well-sampled Chironomidae (e.g. Ekrem et al, 2010;Silva et al, 2013;Silva & Wiedenbrug, 2014;Krosch et al, 2015) and lies near the suggested average 4-5% threshold between species proposed by Lin et al (2015) for Tanytarsus Wulp. The identity of the Australian and Israeli material is further supported by an analysis of the banding patterns of the polytene chromosomes by Porter & Martin (1977), where 5 of the 7 chromosome arms share common banding patterns.…”

DNA barcodes and morphology reveal unrecognized species in Chironomidae (Diptera)

“…The 10% maximum intraspecific divergence in the T. curticornis species complex and 8% maximum intraspecific divergence in the T. heusdensis species complex are much higher than the average intraspecific divergences (0.9%-2.32%) previously reported in Chironomidae (Ekrem et al 2007;Lin et al 2015;Silva & Wiedenbrug 2014;Sinclair & Gresens 2008;Song et al 2016). We nevertheless refrain from describing the divergent lineages as separate species since their morphology is consistent and regarded as conspecific.…”

“…For example, Hebert et al (2004) discovered ten different species in the Astraptes fulgerator species complex when combining DNA barcodes, host plant records and larval morphology. DNA barcode have also been used efficiently to detect hidden species diversity in Chironomidae (Anderson et al 2013;Carew et al 2011;Lin et al 2015;Silva & Wiedenbrug 2014;Song et al 2016;.…”