J Syst Evol ›› 2023, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (5): 932-947.DOI: 10.1111/jse.12931

• Research Articles • Previous Articles    

Integrative taxonomy of the stalk-eyed bug genus Chauliops (Heteroptera: Malcidae: Chauliopinae) reveals orogeny-driven speciation

Yan-Fei Li1†, Shu-Jing Wang1†, Jia-Yue Zhou1, Cui-Qing Gao2, Chen-Guang Zheng1, Huai-Jun Xue1*, and Wen-Jun Bu1*   

  1. 1 Institute of Entomology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China;
    2 Co-Innovation Center for the Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
    These authors contributed equally to this paper.
    *Authors for correspondence. Huaijun Xue. E-mail:xuehj@nankai.edu.cn;Wenjun Bu. E-mail:wenjunbu@nankai.edu.cn
  • Received:2022-07-10 Accepted:2022-11-06 Online:2022-11-16 Published:2023-09-01

Abstract: Economically significant bean pests of the genus Chauliops are species rich in the areas surrounding the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and provide an excellent system for speciation studies. Here, an integrative taxonomic approach, employing morphological analyses, population genetic methods, and multiple molecular species delimitation methods, was used to clarify the taxonomy of Chauliops in East and Southeast Asia. Four new species (Chauliops parahorizontalis Li & Bu, sp. nov., Chauliops albida Li & Bu, sp. nov., Chauliops bicoloripes Li & Bu, sp. nov., and Chauliops paraconica Li & Bu, sp. nov.) were described, which increases the number of Chauliops species in this area from six to 10; a key for Chauliops species is also provided. Phylogenetic analysis and divergence time estimation revealed that Chauliops was divided into four clades: Clade A (Chauliops bisontula + [Chauliops horizontalis + C. parahorizontalis sp. nov.]), Clade B (C. albida sp. nov. and C. bicoloripes sp. nov.), Clade C (Chauliops quaternaria and Chauliops zhengi), and Clade D (Chauliops fallax + [Chauliops conica + C. paraconica sp. nov.]). Two species diversification events of Chauliops estimated to have occurred 7-1 million years ago (Ma) and 25-13 Ma were detected. These speciation events were consistent with the two historical uplift events of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, suggesting that orogeny might have provided opportunities for the diversification of Chauliops species on the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our findings show that population genetic analyses can be used to delimit related species and that orogeny is a key driver of species diversification on the southeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Key words: Chauliops, integrative taxonomy, orogeny, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, speciation