Two Species Delimitation of Pseudaulacaspis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) Based on Morphology, Molecular Clustering, and Niche Differentiation.

ABSTRACT: Pseudaucalaspis pentagona and P. prunicola are notorious pests and commonly feed on various ornamental plants and fruit trees worldwide. The two species share many host-plant species, and are similar in morphological characteristics and life cycle, making it difficult to distinguish to distinguish between them. In this study, morphological characteristics, molecular evidence, and ecological niches were used to define these species. We performed PCA analysis on 22 morphological characteristics that allowed the delineation of the species. We then sequenced the COI gene of both species revealing five populations of P. pentagona and one population of P. prunicola, and the higher support rate could distinguish the two species. We also identified the potential distrib

SUBMITTER: Lu Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10456064 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature