Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode Dataset
Accurate species identification of small aquatic insects remains challenging due to their morphological similarities. This study addresses this issue by developing a DNA barcode reference library for the globally distributed <i>Brillia</i> (Diptera: Chironomidae). We analyzed cytochrome...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/675 |
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| author | Hai-Feng Xu Meng-Yu Lv Yu Zhao Zhi-Chao Zhang Zheng Liu Xiao-Long Lin |
| author_facet | Hai-Feng Xu Meng-Yu Lv Yu Zhao Zhi-Chao Zhang Zheng Liu Xiao-Long Lin |
| author_sort | Hai-Feng Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Accurate species identification of small aquatic insects remains challenging due to their morphological similarities. This study addresses this issue by developing a DNA barcode reference library for the globally distributed <i>Brillia</i> (Diptera: Chironomidae). We analyzed cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of 241 specimens belonging to 13 <i>Brillia</i> species from 18 countries, including 56 newly generated and 185 publicly available COI barcodes. Our integrated approach included genetic distance analysis, haplotype network construction, and ecological niche modeling. The results revealed remarkable cryptic diversity, with sequences clustering into 30 Barcode Index Numbers and 158 unique haplotypes, most being region-specific. Notably, East Asian and North American populations showed complete genetic distinctness, suggesting long-term isolation. Environmental factors, particularly temperature and precipitation gradients, were identified as key drivers of this diversification. The study also corrected several misidentifications in existing databases. These findings significantly advance our understanding of <i>Brillia</i> diversity and provide a reliable molecular tool for freshwater ecosystem monitoring, with important implications for biodiversity conservation and environmental assessment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c78d3bb4dc9d43da92b4208cb382b3b4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-c78d3bb4dc9d43da92b4208cb382b3b42025-08-20T03:35:37ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-06-0116767510.3390/insects16070675Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode DatasetHai-Feng Xu0Meng-Yu Lv1Yu Zhao2Zhi-Chao Zhang3Zheng Liu4Xiao-Long Lin5Engineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, ChinaEcological and Environmental Monitoring Center of Xiong’an New Area, Xiong’an New Area 071800, ChinaEngineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, ChinaEngineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, ChinaLaboratory of Geo-Specimens Study and Testing, Geological Museum of China, Beijing 100034, ChinaEngineering Research Center of Environmental DNA and Ecological Water Health Assessment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, ChinaAccurate species identification of small aquatic insects remains challenging due to their morphological similarities. This study addresses this issue by developing a DNA barcode reference library for the globally distributed <i>Brillia</i> (Diptera: Chironomidae). We analyzed cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of 241 specimens belonging to 13 <i>Brillia</i> species from 18 countries, including 56 newly generated and 185 publicly available COI barcodes. Our integrated approach included genetic distance analysis, haplotype network construction, and ecological niche modeling. The results revealed remarkable cryptic diversity, with sequences clustering into 30 Barcode Index Numbers and 158 unique haplotypes, most being region-specific. Notably, East Asian and North American populations showed complete genetic distinctness, suggesting long-term isolation. Environmental factors, particularly temperature and precipitation gradients, were identified as key drivers of this diversification. The study also corrected several misidentifications in existing databases. These findings significantly advance our understanding of <i>Brillia</i> diversity and provide a reliable molecular tool for freshwater ecosystem monitoring, with important implications for biodiversity conservation and environmental assessment.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/675cryptic speciesDNA barcodingCOI |
| spellingShingle | Hai-Feng Xu Meng-Yu Lv Yu Zhao Zhi-Chao Zhang Zheng Liu Xiao-Long Lin Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode Dataset Insects cryptic species DNA barcoding COI |
| title | Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode Dataset |
| title_full | Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode Dataset |
| title_fullStr | Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode Dataset |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode Dataset |
| title_short | Cryptic Diversity and Climatic Niche Divergence of <i>Brillia</i> Kieffer (Diptera: Chironomidae): Insights from a Global DNA Barcode Dataset |
| title_sort | cryptic diversity and climatic niche divergence of i brillia i kieffer diptera chironomidae insights from a global dna barcode dataset |
| topic | cryptic species DNA barcoding COI |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/675 |
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