title: Australian Sphingidae--DNA barcodes challenge current species boundaries and distributions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examine the extent of taxonomic and biogeographical uncertainty in a well-studied group of Australian Lepidoptera, the hawkmoths (Sphingidae).
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed the diversity of Australian sphingids through the comparative analysis of their DNA barcodes, supplemented by morphological re-examinations and sequence information from a nuclear marker in selected cases. The results from the analysis of Australian sphingids were placed in a broader context by including conspecifics and closely related taxa from outside Australia to test taxonomic boundaries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results led to the discovery of six new species in Australia, one case of erroneously synonymized species, and three cases of synonymy. As a result, we establish the occurrence of 75 species of hawkmoths on the continent. The analysis of records from outside Australia also challenges the validity of current taxonomic boundaries in as many as 18 species, including Agrius convolvuli (Linnaeus, 1758), a common species that has gained adoption as a model system. Our work has revealed a higher level of endemism than previously recognized. Most (90%) Australian sphingids are endemic to the continent (45%) or to Australia, the Pacific Islands and the Papuan and Wallacean regions (45%). Only seven species (10%) have ranges that extend beyond this major biogeographical boundary toward SE Asia and other regions of the Old World.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has established that overlooked cryptic diversity and inaccurate species delineation produced significant misconceptions concerning diversity and distribution patterns in a group of insects that is considered well known taxonomically. Because DNA barcoding represents a straightforward way to test taxonomic boundaries, its implementation can improve the accuracy of primary diversity data in biogeography and conservation studies.
authors.affiliation: University of Guelph, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Rodolphe
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rougerie
authors.affiliation: Natural History Museum, Department of Life Sciences, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ian J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Kitching
authors.affiliation: Honorary Attaché, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris, Le Roc, Laplume, France.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haxaire
authors.affiliation: National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Scott E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, Section Lepidoptera, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hausmann
authors.affiliation: University of Guelph, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul D N
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Hebert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Q000379:methods*; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*