Premium
Prediction of hybridisation zones of selected species of the genus Platymeris (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) supported by laboratory crossbreeding
Author(s) -
BugajNawrocka Agnieszka,
SawkaGądek Natalia,
Chłond Dominik
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
austral entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.502
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 2052-1758
pISSN - 2052-174X
DOI - 10.1111/aen.12452
Subject(s) - biology , genus , ecoregion , subtropics , ecology , interspecific competition , reduviidae , hybrid zone , zoology , hemiptera , gene flow , genetic variation , biochemistry , gene
Genus Platymeris Laporte, 1833 is a medium‐sized genus belonging to the subfamily Reduviinae, and all known species of these assassin bugs are large‐sized insects, distributed exclusively in Africa. Among them, two species, Platymeris biguttatus and Platymeris rhadamanthus , are particularly well known for being bred in commercial cultures. Representatives of both species were bred and crossed in laboratory conditions resulting in interspecific hybrids. The offspring of both species were genetically tested to confirm their hybridisation by nuclear analysis of the wingless gene, which differs in sequence between the parental species. In addition, previous research on the distribution of these species has shown that their ranges partly overlap. This area began to be considered as a potential hybridisation zone. The occurrence of both species was modelled to determine the zone of overlap and estimate the potential hybridisation zone by using the ecological niche modelling technique and Maxent software. In addition, we tested various model settings and program capabilities. As a result, two large areas were identified as potential hybridisation zones. Both are mostly within the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests ecoregion, as well as tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands ecoregion. In addition, new occurrences of P. rhadamanthus in Namibia have been presented.