title: Ecological niche modelling and nDNA sequencing support a new, morphologically cryptic beetle species unveiled by DNA barcoding.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  DNA sequencing techniques used to estimate biodiversity, such as DNA barcoding, may reveal cryptic species. However, disagreements between barcoding and morphological data have already led to controversy. Species delimitation should therefore not be based on mtDNA alone. Here, we explore the use of nDNA and bioclimatic modelling in a new species of aquatic beetle revealed by mtDNA sequence data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aquatic beetle fauna of Australia is characterised by high degrees of endemism, including local radiations such as the genus Antiporus. Antiporus femoralis was previously considered to exist in two disjunct, but morphologically indistinguishable populations in south-western and south-eastern Australia. We constructed a phylogeny of Antiporus and detected a deep split between these populations. Diagnostic characters from the highly variable nuclear protein encoding arginine kinase gene confirmed the presence of two isolated populations. We then used ecological niche modelling to examine the climatic niche characteristics of the two populations. All results support the status of the two populations as distinct species. We describe the south-western species as Antiporus occidentalis sp.n.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to nDNA sequence data and extended use of mitochondrial sequences, ecological niche modelling has great potential for delineating morphologically cryptic species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, Zoological State Collection, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hawlitschek
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Porch
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hendrich
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balke
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D044822:Biodiversity; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics*; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Q000379:methods*; D055669:Ecological and Environmental Phenomena; D017753:Ecosystem; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010858:Pigmentation
chemical_list: D004247:DNA; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV