DNA barcoding and morphology reveal European and western Asian Arctiavillica (Linnaeus, 1758) as a complex of species (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae).

ABSTRACT: Currently, the genus Arctia Schrank, 1802 includes approximately 16 species in the Palaearctic region, depending on the taxonomic interpretation. Here, populations of the Arctiavillica (Linnaeus, 1758) morphospecies complex were studied from Europe to the Middle East (Turkey, northern Iran) by molecular methods. Morphological treatment has traditionally revealed the presence of five nominal taxa: A.villica (Linnaeus, 1758), A.angelica (Boisduval, 1829), A.konewkaii (Freyer, 1831), A.marchandi de Freina, 1983, and A.confluens Romanoff, 1884. The molecular approach tests whether they represent well-delimited species. Subsequently, this study corroborates the suitability of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) marker sequence

SUBMITTER: Ortiz AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10208439 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature