Redescription of the tiger beetle Cicindelidia aeneicollis (Bates 1881) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) and discovery of new morphological variants from the Pacific Slope of Mexico.

The tiger beetle species, Cicindelidia aeneicollis (Bates 1881) is redescribed, as Bates original description was inadequate and did not accurately capture the character states or variation found within the species. The specific epithet aeneicollis is partially misleading as the proepisternum is mostly aeneous (bronze/copper) with the basal quarter to third being polychromatic, which the description does not convey. Some populations of this species from the western coast of Mexico exhibit significant variation in maculations, with individuals ranging from weakly marked (as in Bates description) to much more extensively marked.

Species delimitation, discovery and conservation in a tiger beetle species complex despite discordant genetic data.

In an age of species declines, delineating and discovering biodiversity is critical for both taxonomic accuracy and conservation. In recent years, there has been a movement away from using exclusively morphological characters to delineate and describe taxa and an increase in the use of molecular markers to describe diversity or through integrative taxonomy, which employs traditional morphological characters, as well as genetic or other data. Tiger beetles are charismatic, of conservation concern, and much work has been done on the morphological delineation of species and subspecies, but few of these taxa have been tested with genetic analyses. In this study, we tested morphologically based taxonomic hypotheses of polymorphic tiger beetles in the Eunota circumpicta (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841) species complex using multilocus genomic and mtDNA analyses. We find multiple cryptic species within the previous taxonomic concept of Eunota circumpicta, some of which were historically recognized as subspecies. We found that the mtDNA and genomic datasets did not identify the same taxonomic units and that the mtDNA was most at odds with all other genetic and morphological patterns. Overall, we describe new cryptic diversity, which raises important conservation concerns, and provide a working example for testing species and subspecies validity despite discordant data.

A genomic test of subspecies in the Eunota togata species group (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae): Morphology masks evolutionary relationships and taxonomy.

Most of the world's biodiversity is described primarily or exclusively using morphological traits that may not always reflect the true evolutionary units. Accurate taxonomy is critical for conservation efforts and re-evaluation of traditional taxonomy may often be warranted since species and subspecies are frequently the focus of conservation and faunistic studies. Here, we test comprehensive taxonomic hypotheses of morphologically defined subspecies in the tiger beetle, Eunota togata (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841). The four recognized subspecies were delineated based mainly on the dorsal coloration and extent of white markings termed maculations. We combine inferences from mtDNA genealogies and genome-wide multilocus data to elucidate the evolutionary relationships within the group and assess the taxonomic implications. Three of the four subspecific taxa delineated by morphology were not supported by the genomic or mtDNA data. In fact, the species-level diversity in this group was underestimated, as E. togata was found to represent three well-supported distinct species in all genetic analyses. Emerging from these analyses, we also document an intriguing example of convergent evolution in lighter colored E. togata adapting to similar white saline backgrounds. Our collective work underscores the importance of using molecular methods to reevaluate morphological based taxonomy for species and subspecies delimitation and conservation.

A new species of tiger beetle (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) from the Death Valley ecosystem.

A new tiger beetle species, Cicindela timbisha Duran, Chambers, Nelson & Roman n. sp., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from the Death Valley ecoregion of eastern California, USA. It is most similar to C. senilis G.Horn, 1866 but is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characteristics, including differences in maculations, chaetotaxy of the antennae and a statistically significant difference in body size (P<0.001). The new species also differs from C. senilis in that it is found in an isolated freshwater spring in an inland basin east of the Sierra Nevada mountains, whereas C. senilis is found in saline soils, primarily coastal areas and inland plains, west of the Sierra Nevada range.

Single Night Surveys of Moth Communities Can Serve as Ultra-Rapid Biodiversity Assessments.

Biodiversity conservation decisions are typically based on limited data and resources. For this reason, there is great interest in surveying taxa that may allow for a rapid assessment of the biodiversity at a site. Numerous taxa have been proposed and utilized for rapid assessments that allow for such a survey in a matter of weeks or less. Herein, we test the idea that nocturnal moths have many of the characteristics that make them ideal for such surveys, such as relative ease of identification, strong ecological association with specific plant species and habitats, high alpha diversity, extended seasonal activity, and ease of trapping. We demonstrate that even in a few hours of sampling during single night surveys, moth communities are predictive of regional forest types at sampling sites in New Jersey. We sampled moths in five different forest habitats in New Jersey, USA: Pine Barrens, Upland Deciduous Forest, Palustrine Deciduous Forest, Maritime Forest, and Ruderal/Disturbed Forests, at four sites per forest type. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses revealed that moth communities differ significantly across these four forest types (p < 0.01). We used Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) R tests to quantify the degree of differentiation among moth communities, and found that Tortricidae (R = 0.657) and Geometridae (R = 0.637) predict forest communities nearly as well as the total moth diversity (R = 0.668). Uncommon species (R = 0.665) were better predictors than common species (R = 0.500). Host plant generalists (R = 0.654) were better predictors than specialists (0.538), which was a surprising find.

A new genus of tiger beetle (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) from the Nearctic and Neotropical realms.

The taxonomically problematic tiger beetle species, Cylindera lemniscata (LeConte, 1854), has been difficult to place within the Nearctic fauna because of its peculiar morphological characteristics which were noted in its description, and by subsequent workers. Molecular phylogenetic studies of the late 1990s and early 2000s were similarly unable to reach a consensus about its systematic placement. More recently, a densely sampled mtDNA genealogy recovered Cy. lemniscata as a monotypic clade that is sister to a larger clade of Nearctic tiger beetles that included species of Dromochorus Gurin-Mneville, 1845, Ellipsoptera Dokhtouroff, 1883 and Parvindela Duran Gough, 2019. In this present study, morphological characters were assessed for Cy. lemniscata and all of the above taxa, as well as members of the genus Brasiella Rivalier, 1954 and Cicindelidia cardini (Leng Mutchler, 1916), a poorly known Cuban endemic with markings that are remarkably similar to Cy. lemniscata. The consensus of molecular and morphological analyses indicates that Cy. lemniscata is not congeneric with any other species, and as such, we erect Jundlandia Duran Gough 2022, new genus, to accommodate this unique taxon. Future molecular work may determine that Ci. cardini may belong in Jundlandia.

Taxonomic changes to the Neotropical species of the genus Habroscelimorpha (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae).

The taxonomy of the tiger beetle genus Habroscelimorpha Dokhtouroff, 1883 is revised based on morphology, ecology, and molecular phylogenetics. Recently, nine Nearctic species of Habroscelimorpha were transferred to Eunota Rivalier, 1954 based on the same data types, but the Neotropical species have not been formally evaluated until the present publication. Herein I propose five new combinations based on a plurality of data, including morphological traits, ecology, and the topologies of three prior molecular studies, each based on three mitochondrial gene fragments (16S, COX3 and CytB): Eunota auraria (Klug, 1834) new combination, Eunota boops (Dejean, 1831) new combination, Eunota euryscopa (Bates, 1890) new combination, Eunota wellingi (Cassola and Sawada, 1990) new combination, Microthylax schwarzi (W. Horn, 1923) new combination.

Description of a new halophilic tiger beetle in the genus Eunota (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae, Cicindelini) identified using morphology, phylogenetics and biogeography.

Tiger beetles are a popular group of insects amongst amateur naturalists, and are well-represented in museum and private collections. New species descriptions plateaued in the 19th century, but there is a recent resurgence of discoveries as integrative taxonomy methods, guided by molecular systematics, uncover "cryptic" tiger beetle diversity. In this paper, we describe a new species using multiple data types. This new species, Eunota mecocheila Duran and Roman n. sp., is in the tribe Cicindelini, and is described from specimens collected in saline muddy ditches in northern Mexico. This species is closely related to E. circumpicta (LaFerté-Sénectère, 1841), but is separated based on morphological differences, geographic range, and genetic differentiation. Little is known about the biology or distribution of this species and it has only been collected from two sites in the state of Coahuila. Given the location of this new species, and its genetic divergence from its closest relative, E. circumpicta, we discuss the historical biogeography that may have led to isolation and speciation. The male and female dorsal, lateral and frontal habitus and the male aedeagus are shown.

A new tiger beetle from the Gulf Coast of Texas (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae, Cicindelini).

A new tiger beetle species, Eunota albicauda Duran, Roman Huber n. sp., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from the Gulf Coast of southern Texas. It is superficially most similar to E. togata (LaFert-Snectre, 1841) and E. circumpicta (LaFert-Snectre, 1841) but is distinguished on the basis of multiple character states not shared with either species. We reconstructed a phylogeny for Eunota to address the placement of this new taxon. Little is known about the biology or distribution of this exceedingly rare species. Despite extensive tiger beetle collecting from this region, only two specimens of E. albicauda n. sp. are known, collected in the mid-20th century. Future efforts to locate additional specimens should focus on coastal salt flats and marshes in southern Texas, including areas near the United States-Mexico border, late in the season (September-October).

A new tiger beetle from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae, Cicindelini).

A new tiger beetle species, Cicindelidia cyanipleura Duran and Roman n. sp., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from the southwestern section of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Superficially, it appears to be most closely related to C. rufiventris (Dejean, 1825) but is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characters and behavior. Given the rock-loving natural history of the species, escape behavior, polished pronotum, and small body size, it may be more closely related to the petrophiles C. laetipennis (Horn, 1913) or C. politula (LeConte, 1875), from which it is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characters and biogeography.

Geographic Life History Differences Predict Genomic Divergence Better than Mitochondrial Barcodes or Phenotype.

Species diversity can be inferred using multiple data types, however, results based on genetic data can be at odds with patterns of phenotypic variation. Tiger beetles of the Cicindelidiapolitula (LeConte, 1875) species complex have been taxonomically problematic due to extreme phenotypic variation within and between populations. To better understand the biology and taxonomy of this group, we used mtDNA genealogies and multilocus nuclear analyses of 34,921 SNPs to elucidate its evolutionary history and evaluate the validity of phenotypically circumscribed species and subspecies. Genetic analyses recovered two divergent species that are also ecologically distinct, based on adult life history. These patterns are incongruous with the phenotypic variation that informed prior taxonomy, and most subspecies were not supported as distinct evolutionary lineages. One of the nominal subspecies was found to be a cryptic species; consequently, we elevate C. p.laetipennis (Horn, 1913) to a full species. Although nuclear and mtDNA datasets recovered broadly similar evolutionary units, mito-nuclear discordance was more common than expected, being observed between nearly all geographically overlapping taxonomic pairs. Additionally, a pattern of 'mitochondrial displacement' was observed, where mitochondria from one species unidirectionally displace others. Overall, we found that geographically associated life history factors better predict genomic divergence than phenotype and mitochondrial genealogies, and consequently taxon identifications based on mtDNA (e.g., DNA barcodes) may be misleading.

A new petrophilous tiger beetle from the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and revised key to the genus Amblycheila (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Cicindelinae).

A new rock-dwelling (petrophilous) tiger beetle, Amblycheila katzi Duran & Roman, sp. nov. is described from calcareous canyons and steep hillsides in the Trans-Pecos region of western Texas. It is distinguished from all other Amblycheila based on multiple morphological characters, biogeography, and ecology. A revised key to the genus Amblycheila is provided.

A new species of tiger beetle from southeastern Arizona and Mexico (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Cicindelini).

A new tiger beetle species, Cicindelidiamelissa Duran & Roman, sp. n., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from high elevation montane forests of southeastern Arizona and Mexico. It appears to be most closely related to Cicindelidianebuligera (Bates) but is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characters and geographic range. The new species is also superficially similar to the widespread Cicindelidiasedecimpunctata (Klug), but distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characters and habitat. Habitus, male and female reproductive structures, and known distribution map are presented.

Sequence-based species delimitation for the DNA taxonomy of undescribed insects.

Cataloging the very large number of undescribed species of insects could be greatly accelerated by automated DNA based approaches, but procedures for large-scale species discovery from sequence data are currently lacking. Here, we use mitochondrial DNA variation to delimit species in a poorly known beetle radiation in the genus Rivacindela from arid Australia. Among 468 individuals sampled from 65 sites and multiple morphologically distinguishable types, sequence variation in three mtDNA genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, cytochrome b, 16S ribosomal RNA) was strongly partitioned between 46 or 47 putative species identified with quantitative methods of species recognition based on fixed unique ("diagnostic") characters. The boundaries between groups were also recognizable from a striking increase in branching rate in clock-constrained calibrated trees. Models of stochastic lineage growth (Yule models) were combined with coalescence theory to develop a new likelihood method that determines the point of transition from species-level (speciation and extinction) to population-level (coalescence) evolutionary processes. Fitting the location of the switches from speciation to coalescent nodes on the ultrametric tree of Rivacindela produced a transition in branching rate occurring at 0.43 Mya, leading to an estimate of 48 putative species (confidence interval for the threshold ranging from 47 to 51 clusters within 2 logL units). Entities delimited in this way exhibited biological properties of traditionally defined species, showing coherence of geographic ranges, broad congruence with morphologically recognized species, and levels of sequence divergence typical for closely related species of insects. The finding of discontinuous evolutionary groupings that are readily apparent in patterns of sequence variation permits largely automated species delineation from DNA surveys of local communities as a scaffold for taxonomy in this poorly known insect group.

Post-establishment movement of western corn rootworm larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Central Missouri corn.

If registered, transgenic corn, Zea mays L., with corn rootworm resistance will offer a viable alternative to insecticides for managing Diabrotica spp. corn rootworms. Resistance management to maintain susceptibility is in the interest of growers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and industry, but little is known about many aspects of corn rootworm biology required for an effective resistance management program. The extent of larval movement by the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, that occurs from plant-to-plant or row-to-row after initial establishment was evaluated in 1998 and 1999 in a Central Missouri cornfield. Post-establishment movement by western corn rootworm larvae was clearly documented in two of four treatment combinations in 1999 where larvae moved up to three plants down the row and across a 0.46-m row. Larvae did not significantly cross a 0.91-m row after initial host establishment in 1998 or 1999, whether or not the soil had been compacted by a tractor and planter. In the current experiment, western corn rootworm larvae moved from highly damaged, infested plants to nearby plants with little to no previous root damage. Our data do not provide significant insight into how larvae might disperse after initial establishment when all plants in an area are heavily damaged or when only moderate damage occurs on an infested plant. A similar situation might also occur if a seed mixture of transgenic and isoline plants were used and if transgenic plants with rootworm resistance are not repellent to corn rootworm larvae.