Sympatric occurrence of three leaf beetle species ofMacropleaSamouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae) in Finland with a key to species in Northern Europe

Abstract

Macroplea Samouelle, 1819 is the only known fully aquatic leaf beetle genus with three European species that have earlier been classified by their assumed water salinity preferences. We studied the inter-and intraspecific variation of the specimens living in Northern Europe using both molecular (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI) and morphological evidence. The variation in the COI sequences between M. mutica (Fabricius, 1792) and M. pubipennis (Reuter, 1875) was 8.4-9%, M. mutica and M. appendiculata (Panzer, 1794) 3.9-4.9% and M. appendiculata and M. pubipennis 8.8-9.2%. All three species were sampled together in the Bothnian Sea on the same water plants, showing that neither salinity nor plant species bear a decisive importance in their occurrence in the region. Phylogenetic results suggest the existence of two currently unknown Macroplea species that are evolutionarily close to M. appendiculata. A key to the Nordic species is provided.

The second phantom aquatic leaf beetle in Japan: Macroplea mutica rediscovery in the wetlands (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

“…The morphological character states recorded in this study are similar to those shown in Lou et al (2011), but there are some differences: elytral spines longer; black spots on pronotum larger. The median lobe and tegmen morphology are consistent with that shown by Lou et al (2011) andVahtera et al (2018). The endophallus is only shown in Lou et al (2011) and there were some differences, particularly in the shape of PDS.…”

“…In this study, the examination of M. mutica in Aomori Prefecture showed that the length of metatarsomere II equals metatarsomere I. Vahtera et al . (2018) also reported this character state, but Hayashi and Shiyake (2001), Warchałowski (2010) and Hayashi (2020) showed that the length of metatarsomere II is longer than that of metatarsomere I. Hayashi (2012) and Lou et al . (2011) reported that the length of metatarsomere II equals or is slightly longer than that of metatarsomere I.…”

“…Only Türkgülü et al (2011) showed the spermatheca, and there were also some differences in the shape of spermathecal capsule. This species is known to have morphological variations (Vahtera et al 2018), but its global range has not been fully understood. The median lobe of the male genitalia is the most distinguishing character of this species (Lou et al 2011).…”

“…This species is known to have morphological variations (Vahtera et al . 2018), but its global range has not been fully understood. The median lobe of the male genitalia is the most distinguishing character of this species (Lou et al .…”

“…The genus Macroplea Samouelle, 1819 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) aquatic leaf beetles are found throughout the Palearctic, including Asia, Northern Africa, and Europe (Lou et al 2011;Vahtera et al 2018). Macroplea spp.…”