Iteaphila Zetterstedt
- Dataset
- World revision of Iteaphila with unbranched radial vein (Diptera: Empidoidea: Iteaphilidae)
- Rank
- GENUS
Classification
- kingdom
- Animalia
- phylum
- Arthropoda
- class
- Insecta
- order
- Diptera
- family
- Iteaphilidae
- genus
- Iteaphila
biology_ecology
Feeding habits
description
DNA barcode sequence data The COI barcode data for Nearctic Iteaphila with branched and unbranched R 4 + 5 are summarized in the neighbourjoining tree (Fig. 82). DNA data for this project was obtained for two purposes. Firstly, sequenced females which clustered with sequenced males permitted confirmation of identification. These associated females were carefully examined for species specific characters for identification and description. Secondly, the use of sequences permitted recognition of possible cryptic species complexes.
discussion
Among the 36 known Nearctic species of Iteaphila, barcode data for 18 named species and four un-named species were available. Palaearctic specimens with associated barcode data were not available for study. Two species of Iteaphila with unbranched R 4 + 5 were unidentified due to absence of associated males, one of which is likely nupta / subnupta based on distribution, outcome in the key and barcode coverage of other Nearctic species. A female specimen from Nome, Alaska (103409), originally identified as I. bulbosa, appears to represent a currently unrecognized species. In addition, a specimen (103384) originally identified as I. orchestris needs to be re-evaluated and likely represents a new species. Iteaphila nitidula has very unique male terminalia (elongate epandrium and looping phallus) (Fig. 7) and was originally believed to be a widespread Holarctic species. On the basis of COI barcode data, this species appears to comprise possibly as many as six cryptic species (including public data available on the BOLD website) and specimens across its range will need to be investigated for additional and currently unrecognized species. Differences in the inner shape of the epandrium and medial projection may indicate different species. The Nearctic specimens listed here were assigned to different BINs, none of which match I. nitidula from near the type locality in Sweden (BIN ID: ACD 3033). In contrast, Nearctic specimens of I. macquarti, another widespread Holarctic species, are all assigned to the same BIN (AAL 8966), the same as specimens from near the type locality in Norway.