Abstract
Recent studies on oestroidean Diptera (Brachycera) are providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the evolutionary history of this remarkably diverse clade of holometabolous insects.The Oestroidea, which includes formidable pests such as various blowflies, botflies, and flesh flies that infest livestock, pets and humans, are mostly composed of beneficial species that act as scavengers or parasitoids on various pest insects. In our research, we used genomic methods to elucidate the phylogenetic position of Nesodexia corsicanaVilleneuve, 1911 (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a mysterious oestroid species endemic to Corsica and characterized by distinctive morphological features that have puzzled taxonomists for years. Contrary to initial hypotheses, our results place NesodexiaVilleneuve, 1911 within the Calliphoridae subfamily Rhinophorinae, a small lineage of terrestrial isopod parasitoids.Through detailed morphological analysis of adults of both sexes and eggs, we uncovered significant insights consistent with our phylogenomic reconstruction.The unique morphological features of the species, coupled with its restricted and fragmented habitat, highlight its potential conservation importance. We delineated the area of occupancy for N. corsicana and assessed its “threatened” category using specific IUCN Red List criteria. In addition, we mapped the available habitat within its range and determined potential key biodiversity areas (KBA) triggered by N. corsicana. New potential KBAs are only partially covered by the Corsican Regional Park. Finally, we mapped the distribution of habitats on the island to assess the potential distribution of the species beyond its currently known geographic range.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Artikelnummer | ieae073 |
| Tidsskrift | Journal of Insect Science |
| Vol/bind | 24 |
| Udgave nummer | 4 |
| Antal sider | 16 |
| ISSN | 1536-2442 |
| DOI | |
| Status | Udgivet - 2024 |
Bibliografisk note
Funding Information:We would like to thank the following colleagues who, in various ways, facilitated our work: Stefano Taiti (Florence, Italy) for the information on the isopods of Corsica; Daniel Whitmore (SMNS) for the access to the Diptera collection and the information on the type material of Nesodexia corsicana preserved at SMNS; Hans-Peter Tschorsnig (SMNS), for the valuable information on Benno Herting and the collection of rhinophorines preserved at the SMNS. Part of the material treated during this study was collected during the naturalist expedition, \u201CLa Plan\u00E8te Revisit\u00E9e (Our Planet Reviewed)\u2014Corsica 2019\u20132021,\u201D organized by the Mus\u00E9um national d\u2019Histoire naturelle (MNHN, Paris) in collaboration with and funded by the Collectivit\u00E9 de Corse (CdC) and the Office Fran\u00E7ais de la Biodiversit\u00E9 (OFB); we thank the Diptera coordinator, Marc Pollet, for providing us with the material used in this article. This work received support from The European Union\u2013NextGenerationEU as part of the National Biodiversity Future Center, Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4 (CUP: B83C22002950007); by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the PRIN Project \u201CIdentification of priority sites for the conservation of terrestrial animal and plant diversity to meet European and CBD 2030 targets\u201D 2022C8E2F4_001\u2014CUP J53D23006530006; and by National Science Centre, Poland (2018/31/B/NZ8/02113).
Funding Information:
This work received support from The European Union\u2013NextGenerationEU as part of the National Biodiversity Future Center, Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4 (CUP: B83C22002950007); by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the PRIN Project \u201CIdentification of priority sites for the conservation of terrestrial animal and plant diversity to meet European and CBD 2030 targets\u201D 2022C8E2F4_001\u2014CUP J53D23006530006; and by National Science Centre, Poland (2018/31/B/NZ8/02113).
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.