Confirmation of the valid specific status of Dolichovespula kuami Kim & Yoon, 1996 (Hymenoptera, Vespidae) based on molecular and morphological evidence

By

Kim, Chang-Jun
Tan, Jiangli
Kim, Jeong Kyu
Choi, Moon Bo

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1196

Pages

111--119

Subjects

Description , DNA barcoding , Dolichovespula flora , male , mt-COI , taxonomy , Vespidae , wasp

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1196.110224

 

Abstract

The taxonomic validity of Dolichovespula kuami, especially in relation to D. flora, has been the subject of a long-term debate. Herein, the valid specific status of the former was supported through an integrated analysis of morphological characters and DNA barcodes. The pronotal rugae and male genitalia of the two species are different, and partial mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI) indicate that they form significantly distinct lineages. The hitherto unknown male of D. kuami is described for the first time, and a brief discussion of the D. maculata species group is provided.