Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2025

A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles
Published on: July 11, 2025
Integrative taxonomy reveals overlooked cryptic diversity in the conifer feeding Batrachedrapinicolella (Zeller,
Kai Berggren1, Leif Aarvik2, Peter Huemer3
1Bråvann terrasse 21, NO-4624 Kristiansand, Norway Unaffiliated Kristiansand Norway.
Abstract:
During efforts to generate DNA barcodes for all European Lepidoptera, Batrachedrapinicolella (Zeller, 1839) was found to comprise two genetically distinct clusters. Morphological investigation and results from two nuclear markers and ddRAD sequencing furthermore support the existence of two distinct taxa which we treat as two separate species, B.pinicolella and B.confusella sp. nov. A lectotype for B.pinicolella is designated. Available data indicate that the biology of both species also differs, with Piceaabies (L.) Karsten as a proved host-plant for B.pinicolella and Pinussylvestris L. for B.confusella sp. nov. Both species are mainly distributed on the European continent with B.pinicolella occurring in boreal parts of North and Central Europe and introduced to Canada, reflecting a boreo-montane distribution pattern. Batrachedraconfusella sp. nov. is more widely distributed in temperate Northern and Central Europe.
Related Concept Videos
Pollination and Flower Structure
Convergent Evolution
Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Hierarchy of Taxonomy
The hierarchy that Carolus Linnaeus first...
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Modern Molecular Taxonomy

