P. Audisio et al., Molecular re-examination of the taxonomy of the Meligethes viridescens species complex (Coleoptera : Nitidulidae), BIOCH SYST, 28(1), 2000, pp. 1-13
Allozyme and RAPD analysis were performed to clarify taxonomic relationship
s within the Meligethes viridescens complex (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae, Melig
ethinae). Five populations from Central Italy belonging to three species: M
. viridescens, M. czwalinai, and a new undescribed species (M, sp. cfr. vir
idescens), and one population of the morphologically well-differentiated M.
aeneus were analysed. The degree of observed genetic differentiation suppo
rts separation at the specific rank of M. viridescens, M, czwalinai, and M.
sp. cfr. viridescens. The species' ecology and morphological observations
based on scanning electron microscopy also supports such a taxonomic separa
tion. The M13 RAPD primer is a diagnostic marker for distinguishing the fou
r species. Estimates of divergence times calculated from allozymic genetic
distance data suggest that the pattern of differentiation observed may be r
elated to the palaeoclimatic changes during the Plio/Pleistocene ice cycles
in southern Europe. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights
reserved.