title: Interpretation of mitochondrial diversity in terms of taxonomy: a case study of Hyponephele lycaon species complex in Israel (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae).
abstract: It is difficult to interpret mitochondrial diversity in terms of taxonomy even in cases in which a concordance exists between mitochondrial, ecological and morphological markers. Here we demonstrate this difficulty through a study of Israeli Hyponephele butterflies. We show that samples commonly identified as Hyponephele lycaon are represented on Mount Hermon in Israel by two sympatric groups of individuals distinct both in mitochondrial DNA-barcodes (uncorrected p-distance = 3.5%) and hindwing underside pattern. These two groups were collected in different biotopes. They also tended to be different in length of brachia in male genitalia, although the latter character is variable. We reject the hypothesis that the discovered COI haplogroups are selectively neutral intraspecific characters. We hypothesize that they represent: either (1) two different biological species, or (2) a consequence of a strong positive selection acting at intraspecific level and resulting in two intraspecific clusters adapted to low and to high elevations. If we accept the first hypothesis, then provisionally these two haplogroups can be attributed to transpalearctic Hyponephele lycaon sensu stricto and to Hyponephele lycaonoides, previously known from Iran and East Turkey.
authors.affiliation: Department of Karyosystematics, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab. 1, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Entomology, Faculty of Biology, St Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia.
authors.forename: Vladimir A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Lukhtanov
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram, Berman bldg, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Asya V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Novikova
keywords: COI; DNA barcoding; adaptation to high/low elevation; biodiversity; cryptic species; disruptive selection; habitat-related selection; molecular markers