ABSTRACT
Global biodiversity gradients are generally expected to reflect greater species replacement closer to the equator. However, empirical validation of global biodiversity gradients largely relies on vertebrates, plants, and other less diverse taxa. Here we assess the temporal and spatial dynamics of global arthropod biodiversity dynamics using a beta-diversity framework. Sampling includes 129 sampling sites whereby malaise traps are deployed to monitor temporal changes in arthropod communities. Overall, we encountered more than 150,000 unique barcode index numbers (BINs) (i.e. species proxies). We assess between site differences in community diversity using beta-diversity and the partitioned components of species replacement and richness difference. Global total beta-diversity (dissimilarity) increases with decreasing latitude, greater spatial distance and greater temporal distance. Species replacement and richness difference patterns vary across biogeographic regions. Our findings support long-standing, general expectations of global biodiversity patterns. However, we also show that the underlying processes driving patterns may be regionally linked.
Subject(s)
Arthropods , Biodiversity , Animals , Arthropods/classification , Arthropods/physiology , Geography , Spatio-Temporal AnalysisABSTRACT
The Ornate Moth, Utetheisa ornatrix, has served as a model species in chemical ecology studies for decades. Like in the widely publicized stories of the Monarch and other milkweed butterflies, the Ornate Moth and its relatives are tropical insects colonizing whole continents assisted by their chemical defenses. With the recent advances in genomic techniques and evo-devo research, it is becoming a model for studies in other areas, from wing pattern development to phylogeography, from toxicology to epigenetics. We used a genomic approach to learn about Utetheisa's evolution, detoxification, dispersal abilities, and wing pattern diversity. We present an evolutionary genomic analysis of the worldwide genus Utetheisa, then focusing on U. ornatrix. Our reference genome of U. ornatrix reveals gene duplications in the regions possibly associated with detoxification abilities, which allows them to feed on toxic food plants. Finally, comparative genomic analysis of over 100 U. ornatrix specimens from the museum with apparent differences in wing patterns suggest the potential roles of cortex and lim3 genes in wing pattern formation of Lepidoptera and the utility of museum-preserved collection specimens for wing pattern research.
Subject(s)
Butterflies , Moths , Animals , Moths/genetics , Butterflies/genetics , Genomics , Wings, AnimalABSTRACT
Introduction: Species of Mesochorus are found worldwide and members of this genus are primarily hyperparasitoids of Ichneumonoidea and Tachinidae. Objectives: To describe species of Costa Rican Mesochorus reared from caterpillars and to a lesser extent Malaise-trapped. Methods: The species are diagnosed by COI mtDNA barcodes, morphological inspection, and host data. A suite of images and host data (plant, caterpillar, and primary parasitoid) are provided for each species. Results: A total of 158 new species of Mesochorus. Sharkey is the taxonomic authority for all. Conclusions: This demonstrates a practical application of DNA barcoding that can be applied to the masses of undescribed neotropical insect species in hyperdiverse groups.
Introducción: Las especies de Mesochorus se encuentran en todo el mundo y los miembros de este género son principalmente hiperparasitoides de las familias Ichneumonoidea y Tachinidae. Objetivos: Describir las especies de Mesochorus costarricenses obtenidas de orugas y en menor medida por trampas Malaise. Métodos: Las especies se diagnosticaron mediante el uso de código de barra molecular por COI del ADNmt, inspección morfológica y datos del huésped. Se proporciona un conjunto de imágenes y datos de los huéspedes (planta, oruga y parasitoide primario) para cada especie. Resultados: Se encontró un total de 158 nuevas especies de Mesochorus. Sharkey es la autoridad taxonómica para todas las especies. Conclusiones: Se demuestra una aplicación práctica del código de barras de ADN que se puede aplicar a grandes cantidades de especies de insectos neotropicales no descritas para grupos hiperdiversos.
Subject(s)
Animals , Hymenoptera/classification , Costa Rica , DNA Barcoding, TaxonomicABSTRACT
Background: This revision is part of a continuing series of taxonomic work aimed at the description of new taxa and the redescription of known taxa of the Tachinidae of Area de Conservación Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica. Here we describe 33 new species in the genus Belvosia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera: Tachinidae). All species described here were reared from this ongoing inventory of wild-caught caterpillars spanning a variety of families (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Eupterotidae, Noctuidae, Notodontidae, Saturniidae, and Sphingidae). We provide a morphological description of each species with limited information on life history, molecular data, and photographic documentation. In addition to the new species, the authors provide a redescription of the genus Belvosia, as well as provide a key to the identification of the species present in the Meso- and North-American fauna. New information: The following 33 new species of Belvosia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, all authored by Fleming & Woodley, are described: Belvosiaadrianguadamuzi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaanacarballoae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaangelhernandezi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiabrigittevilchezae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaalixtomoragai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiacarolinacanoae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaciriloumanai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiadiniamartinezae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaduniagarciae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaduvalierbricenoi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaeldaarayae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaeliethcantillanoae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiafreddyquesadai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiagloriasihezarae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaguillermopereirai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaharryramirezi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiahazelcambroneroae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiajorgehernandezi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiajosecortezi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiajoseperezi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiakeinoraragoni Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosialuciariosae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiamanuelpereirai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiamanuelriosi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaminorcarmonai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaosvaldoespinozai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiapabloumanai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiapetronariosae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaricardocaleroi Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiarobertoespinozai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiarostermoragai Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiaruthfrancoae Fleming & Woodley sp. n., Belvosiasergioriosi Fleming & Woodley sp. n.Belvosiacanalis Aldrich, 1928 is reared and recorded from the inventory; new information relative to host is provided and the species is rediscribed.The following are proposed by Fleming & Woodley as new synonyms of Belvosia Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830: Brachybelvosia Townsend, 1927 syn. n., Belvosiomimops Townsend, 1935 syn. n.The following three new combinations are proposed as a result of the new synonymies: Belvosiabrasilensis (Townsend, 1927), comb. n.; and Belvosiabarbiellinii (Townsend, 1935), comb. n.The authors also propose the following new synonymies: Belvosiabrasilensis (Townsend, 1927) = Belvosiaaurulenta (Bigot, 1888), syn. n.; Belvosiapollinosa Rowe, 1933 = Belvosiaborealis Aldrich, 1928 syn. n.; Belvosiaweyenberghiana (Wulp, 1883) = Belvosiafuliginosa (Walker, 1853) syn. n.; Belvosiabrasiliensis Townsend, 1927 = Belvosiafuliginosa (Walker, 1853) syn. n.; Belvosialuteola Coquillett, 1900 = Belvosiaochriventris (Wulp, 1890) syn. n.; Belvosiasocia (Walker, 1853) = Belvosiaproxima (Walker, 1853) syn. n.; Belvosiachrysopyga (Bigot, 1887) = Belvosiaunifasciata (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) syn. n.; Belvosiachrysopygata (Bigot, 1888) = Belvosiaunifasciata (Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830) syn. n.