Prediction of hybridisation zones of selected species of the genusPlatymeris(Hemiptera: Reduviidae) supported by laboratory crossbreeding

Abstract

Genus Platymeris Laporte, 1833 is a medium-sized genus belonging to the subfamily Reduviinae, and all known species of these assassin bugs are large-sized insects, distributed exclusively in Africa. Among them, two species, Platymeris biguttatus and Platymeris rhadamanthus, are particularly well known for being bred in commercial cultures. Representatives of both species were bred and crossed in laboratory conditions resulting in interspecific hybrids. The offspring of both species were genetically tested to confirm their hybridisation by nuclear analysis of the wingless gene, which differs in sequence between the parental species. In addition, previous research on the distribution of these species has shown that their ranges partly overlap. This area began to be considered as a potential hybridisation zone. The occurrence of both species was modelled to determine the zone of overlap and estimate the potential hybridisation zone by using the ecological niche modelling technique and MAXENT software. In addition, we tested various model settings and program capabilities. As a result, two large areas were identified as potential hybridisation zones. Both are mostly within the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregion, as well as tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands ecoregion. In addition, new occurrences of P. rhadamanthus in Namibia have been presented.

The King’s Lace Bug Recaredus rex Distant, 1909 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae): Systematic Position, First Palaearctic and Afrotropical Records, and Ecological Niche Modelling

“…In true bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera), ENM has also been used, but not so often. This method was applied several times to invasive alien species [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ] and agricultural pests [ 22 , 23 ] and incorporated in ecological studies of various types [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Comparative Analysis of Complete Chloroplast Genomes and Multiple DNA Sequences Reveals Interspecific Relationships of C. bretschneideri and Related Species in China

“…Hybrids are often found in areas where different species overlap and crossbreed (Bugaj-Nawrocka et al, 2020). In hawthorn, where the distribution areas of different species overlap, species show intraspecific hybridization (Talent and Dickinson, 2007).…”