Cryptotendipes usmaensis (Pagast, 1931) – a cryptic species of Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera)
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Abstract
We investigated the taxonomic status of Cryptotendipes usmaensis (Pagast, 1931), a cryptic species of Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera), focusing on its morphological and molecular characteristics. We found discrepancies in the descriptions of adult males and pupal exuviae, suggesting the possibility of multiple species or significant polymorphism within C. usmaensis. Studies of recent collections from Finland revealed two distinct pupal morphotypes of C. usmaensis coexisting in the same habitat. DNA barcoding of adult males from Finland and other countries suggest the existence of two genetically distinct groups of the species. The findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive taxonomic review of C. usmaensis and suggest that species identification in some Chironomidae may require a different approach, i.e. combination of pupal morphology and molecular data, rather than relying solely on adult male morphology.
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