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.

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.

Electrical stimulation induced lumbar medial branch referral patterns.

STUDY DESIGN: Fluoroscopically guided, minimum threshold electrical stimulation of the right first, second, third, and fourth lumbar medial branches and the fifth lumbar dorsal ramus in each of eight healthy test subjects was performed. The stimulation thresholds and referral patterns were recorded. A composite drawing of the referral patterns was created. The composite drawings were compared to documented referral patterns already published by other authors. OBJECTIVE: To determine the referral patterns of the lumbar medial branches and the fifth lumbar dorsal ramus. HYPOTHESIS: The lumbar medial branch referral patterns created by minimum threshold electrical stimulation may differ from those obtained after zygapophysial joint (Z-joint) injections. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbar Z-joint referral patterns have been identified following provocative Z-joint injections. There are no reports of lumbar medial branch referral patterns. METHODS: The right L1 through L4 medial branch of the posterior primary ramus and the right L5 dorsal ramus in each of eight healthy volunteer males (n=40), without a history of back pain, were electrically stimulated under fluoroscopic imaging. All subjects were blinded to the level of stimulation, and each individual mapped out the referral area on a human line drawing at the time of each stimulus. The referral patterns after electrical stimulation and the stimulation thresholds were recorded. These referral patterns were compared to referral patterns recorded during provocative Z-joint injections by other authors. CONCLUSION: All of the subjects' mapped referral sites coincided with each other, creating a well defined composite drawing. These referral zones are different than those reported after injection of the lumbar Z-joint, which may have clinical and therapeutic implications. These referral maps may provide the clinician with additional insight when evaluating a patient with lumbar, flank, or gluteal pain of undetermined etiology.