Morphometric and molecular studies on the populations of the damselfliesChalcolestes viridisandC. parvidens(Odonata, Lestidae)

Abstract

Morphometric and genetic differences were analysed for two closely related damselflies, Chalcolestes viridis and C. parvidens. A total of 305 male individuals were collected from six European countries (Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Portugal). Measurements from a total of 28 populations of C. viridis and C. parvidens and several intermediate forms were collected to determine if they can be definitely distinguished using simple morphometric characters. DNA sequences from two independent loci (nuclear ribosomal ITS region and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene) were analysed to test whether these taxa represent separate monophyletic groups as well as to compare the genetic distance with those found between well-accepted European Lestes species. Discriminant analysis revealed that C. viridis and C. parvidens are differentiated in morphometric space. Individuals with intermediate anal appendage traits overlapped with both C. viridis and C. parvidens which raised the possibility that they are merely subspecies of a single species. However, genetic analysis of both investigated DNA regions showed that the two Chalcolestes taxa did not share haplotypes, indicating their status as true species. Furthermore, they formed a monophyletic group separated from the investigated Lestes species, supporting the recognition of the genus Chalcolestes. The two Chalcolestes species are very closely related compared with European Lestes species, suggesting that their divergence occurred relatively recently.

Italian odonates in the Pandora's box: A comprehensive DNA barcoding inventory shows taxonomic warnings at the Holarctic scale

“…The first case, also occurring in DS1, concerns Chalcolestes viridis and C. parvidens . The latter was originally described as a subspecies of C. viridis and was subsequently elevated to the species rank (Dell'Anna, Utzeri, & De Matthaeis, 1996; Gyulavari et al., 2011). Both species can occur syntopically in the Italian peninsula and in other parts of Europe, with hybridization events reported (Olias et al., 2007).…”

“…obs. ), and intermediate morphological traits could be due to the close relationship and relatively recent divergence between the two taxa (Gyulavari et al., 2011). Hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting events could have played a role in causing this warning.…”

“…The first case, also occurring in DS1, concerns Chalcolestes viridis and C. parvidens. The latter was originally described as a subspecies of C. viridis and was subsequently elevated to the species rank (Dell'Anna, Utzeri, & De Matthaeis, 1996;Gyulavari et al, 2011).…”

Italian Odonates in the Pandora’s Box: A Comprehensive DNA Barcoding Inventory Shows Taxonomic Warnings at the Holarctic Scale

“…parvidens. The latter was originally described as a subspecies of C. viridis and was subsequently elevated to the species rank (Dell'Anna, Utzeri, & De Matthaeis, 1996;Gyulavari et al, 2011). Both species can occur syntopically in the Italian peninsula and in other parts of Europe, with hybridization events reported (Olias et al, 2007).…”

“…obs. ), and intermediate morphological traits could be due to the close relationship and relatively recent divergence between the two taxa (Gyulavari et al, 2011).…”