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  • A combination of molecular and morphological approaches resolves species in the taxonomically difficult genus Procladius Skuse (Diptera: Chironomidae) despite high intra-specific morphological variation

Bulletin of Entomological Research

Table of Contents - October 2011 - Volume 101, Issue 05  

Research Paper

A combination of molecular and morphological approaches resolves species in the taxonomically difficult genus Procladius Skuse (Diptera: Chironomidae) despite high intra-specific morphological variation

M.E. Carewa1 c1, S.E. Marshalla1 and A.A. Hoffmanna1

a1 Victorian Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management (CAPIM), Department of Zoology, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, 3010, Australia

Abstract

Molecular approaches for identifying aquatic macroinvertebrate species are increasingly being used but there is ongoing debate about the number of DNA markers needed to differentiate species accurately. Here, we use two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I, cytochrome b) and a nuclear gene (carbamoylphosphate synthetase) to differentiate species variation within the taxonomically challenging chironomid genus Procladius from southern Australia, a genus which is important for pollution monitoring. The mitochondrial genes indicated cryptic species that were subsequently linked to morphological variation at the larval and pupal stage. Two species previously described based on morphological criteria were linked to molecular markers, and there was evidence for additional cryptic species. Each genetic marker provided different information, highlighting the importance of considering multiple genes when dissecting taxonomically difficult groups, particularly those used in pollution monitoring.

(Accepted January 24 2011)

(Online publication March 10 2011)

Keywords

Correspondence:

c1 Author for correspondence Fax: 61 03 8344 2279 E-mail: mecarew@unimelb.edu.au