P. AUDISIO et al. - Data on molecular taxonomy and genetic diversification of the European Osmoderma …

P. AUDISIO, H. BRUSTEL, G. M. CARPANETO, G. COLETTI, E. MANCINI, 
M. TRIZZINO, G. ANTONINI AND A. DE BIASE 
                                        
Data on molecular taxonomy and genetic diversification of the European 
Hermit beetles, a species-complex of endangered insects 
(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae, Osmoderma)

Abstract

A molecular analysis was carried out on the European hermit beetles 
(the Osmoderma eremita species-complex) to explore their genetic 
diversification, and the robustness of previous morphologically-based 
taxonomic arrangements. Complete sequences of mtDNA cytochrome C oxidase 
I gene (COI) were obtained from 26 individuals. Mean levels of interspecific 
sequence divergence ranged from 0.044 to 0.186. The results indicate a 
clear-cut distinction between two clades. The first one includes the 
W-European O. eremita Scopoli, 1763, and the two Italian endemic taxa 
O. italicum Sparacio, 2000 and O. cristinae Sparacio, 1994, from southern 
peninsular Italy and Sicily, respectively. The second one includes the 
widespread E-European O. barnabita Motschulsky, 1845, and the southern 
Balcanic O. lassallei Baraud & Tauzin, 1991 from Greece and European Turkey. 
Within the two clades, molecular and morphological data well support a 
specific rank for O. lassallei and O. barnabita on one side, and for 
O. eremita and O. cristinae on the other side, while the taxonomic position 
of O. italicum, more closely related with O. eremita, is still uncertain. 
Current geographical distribution, interspecific genetic diversification, 
and very low levels of intraspecific genetic divergence in western European 
populations of O. eremita sensu stricto, are hypothesized to be the result 
of multiple speciation events (mainly occurred in refugial forest areas of 
the Italian and Balkan peninsulas and Sicily before and during the 
Pleistocene glacial peaks), followed by fast post-glacial northward and 
westward expansion of some species.