Cryptic-species

Guides

Haploembia solieri
bicolored webspinner
Haploembia solieri is a sexually reproducing webspinner species in the family Oligotomidae, distinguished from the parthenogenetic congener H. tarsalis by its social behavior and smaller genome size. Adults are orange and black, approximately 11 mm in length. The species produces nano-scale silk fibers using specialized silk ejectors on the front tarsi, which they use to construct tunnel systems under bark or in crevices. Originally described from Europe, it has been introduced to North America and recorded from Georgia in the Caucasus region.
webspinner silk-producing introduced-species social-insect cryptic-species parthenogenesis-comparison nano-scale-silk
Hargeria rapax
Hargeria rapax is a small estuarine tanaidacean crustacean endemic to the western Atlantic. Originally described as Leptochelia rapax from Massachusetts in 1879, it was later transferred to the monotypic genus Hargeria based on distinctive male morphological characters. The species exhibits high intraspecific polymorphism and was long considered to have a broad distribution from New England to the Mexican Caribbean, though molecular evidence now supports the recognition of a cryptic sister species, H. chetumalensis, in the southern part of this range.
crustacean tanaidacea estuarine leptocheliidae atlantic-coast cryptic-species high-intraspecific-polymorphism
Heliozelidae
Shield-bearing Moths, Shield Bearer Moths
Heliozelidae are a family of small, primitive monotrysian moths in the order Lepidoptera. Adults are typically metallic, day-flying moths with shiny smooth heads and wingspans of 4–5 mm. Larvae are specialized leaf miners that feed between leaf epidermises, creating distinctive blotch or serpentine mines. A defining family trait is the larval habit of cutting oval shield-like cases from the mined leaf tissue, which are used for pupation; these shields are attached by silk to bark, leaves, twigs, or other substrates. The family has gained attention due to several invasive species that have expanded their ranges, particularly in Europe.
leaf-miners invasive-species shield-bearing-moths day-flying-moths metallic-moths walnut-pests grapevine-pests cryptic-species vibrational-communication pupal-shields
Hemaris aethra
Diervilla Clearwing
A day-flying hawkmoth native to northern North America. Adults are bumblebee mimics with clear wings and fuzzy bodies, hovering at flowers to feed on nectar. Elevated to species status in 2018 after long being considered a subspecies of H. diffinis; the two species remain extremely difficult to distinguish visually where they co-occur.
bumblebee-mimic clearwing-moth day-flying-moth hawkmoth hornworm pollinator specialist-herbivore cryptic-species convergent-evolution North-America deciduous-forest
Hemipeplus
Hemipeplus is a genus of beetles in the family Mycteridae, subfamily Hemipeplinae. The genus contains 57 described species distributed across pantropical regions. Species are primarily mycophagous, feeding on fungi. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with numerous new species described in 2025.
mycophagous pantropical cryptic-species recent-taxonomy 2025-species-descriptions
Hermeuptychia
Hermeuptychia is a genus of small brown satyrine butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, distributed across the Neotropical realm and eastern North America. The genus is notable for its cryptic species diversity, with multiple species that are virtually indistinguishable by wing patterns alone but readily separable by genital morphology and DNA sequences. Recent genetic studies have revealed substantially greater species diversity than previously recognized, including the discovery of two new North American species in 2014 that had been hiding in plain sight due to their near-identical wing patterns to the common Carolina Satyr.
butterfly satyr cryptic-species molecular-taxonomy Neotropical North-America forest understory grass-feeder
Hermeuptychia hermybius
South Texas Satyr
Hermeuptychia hermybius is a small brown butterfly in the Nymphalidae family, described in 2014 from Texas and northeastern Mexico. It was discovered through genetic analysis of populations initially thought to be Carolina Satyr (H. sosybius), revealing cryptic diversity in this well-studied butterfly group. The species is closely related to H. sosybius but distinguished by genitalia morphology and DNA sequences.
cryptic-species molecular-taxonomy new-species-2014 Rio-Grande-Valley
Hermeuptychia intricata
Intricate Satyr
Hermeuptychia intricata is a small brown butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described in 2014 from specimens collected in the southeastern United States. It is morphologically cryptic, nearly identical in wing pattern to the sympatric Carolina Satyr (H. sosybius), but distinguished by smaller and darker genitalia in both sexes and more intricate ventral wing patterns. The species is widely distributed across the coastal plains of the eastern United States, from Texas to South Carolina. Its discovery highlights ongoing hidden diversity in well-studied North American butterfly faunas.
butterfly cryptic-species satyrinae eastern-USA molecular-systematics genital-morphology
Hermeuptychia sosybius
Carolina Satyr
Hermeuptychia sosybius, the Carolina Satyr, is a small brown butterfly in the family Nymphalidae described by Fabricius in 1793. It is one of the most common butterflies in the eastern United States and is frequently found in shaded, wooded habitats. The species has a wingspan of 32–38 mm and is characterized by eyespots along the wing edges. It was historically considered conspecific with H. hermes but is now recognized as a distinct species based on morphological and genetic evidence.
butterfly satyr Nymphalidae eastern-North-America cryptic-species woodland grass-feeder
Hetaerina
Rubyspots
Hetaerina is a genus of damselflies in the family Calopterygidae, commonly known as rubyspots due to the deep red wing bases of males. The genus comprises approximately 40 species distributed throughout the Americas, with highest diversity in tropical South America. Males exhibit pronounced sexual dimorphism with iridescent metallic bodies and characteristic red wing spots, while females have pale brown wings and cryptically patterned bodies. The genus is notable for its lek polygyny mating system, which is uncommon among Odonata, and has become an important study system for sexual selection research.
sexual-selection lek-mating-system sexual-dimorphism bioindicator cryptic-species non-ecological-speciation
Homosetia costisignella
Homosetia costisignella is a small moth species in the family Meessiidae, originally described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1863 as Tinea costisignella. The species has been reclassified from Tineidae to Meessiidae based on phylogenetic studies. It is known from scattered records in eastern North America, with 88 observations documented on iNaturalist. Like other members of this family, it is presumed to be associated with decaying organic matter or fungal substrates, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
small-moth Meessiidae North-America cryptic-species understudied
Horismenus
Horismenus is a large genus of eulophid wasps (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) comprising over 400 described species, primarily distributed in the Americas. Species are predominantly parasitoids, with documented associations including bruchid beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in bean seeds, cerambycid beetles, mantid oothecae, and other insects. Several species exhibit hyperparasitoid behavior. The genus has been the subject of recent taxonomic revision due to cryptic species diversity revealed through molecular analysis.
parasitoid hyperparasitoid bruchid Phaseolus biological-control cryptic-species Wolbachia Eulophidae Neotropical
Hypnoidus
wireworms
Hypnoidus is a genus of click beetles (family Elateridae) whose soil-dwelling larval stages are known as wireworms. Species in this genus are found across Eurasia and North America, with several species recognized as agricultural pests. The genus includes economically significant species such as Hypnoidus bicolor and Hypnoidus abbreviatus, which damage crop roots in the Canadian Prairies.
wireworm agricultural-pest soil-dwelling click-beetle Canadian-Prairies soybean-pest cryptic-species
Hypnoidus bicolor
Bicolour Click Beetle
Hypnoidus bicolor is a click beetle species (Elateridae) found throughout the Canadian Prairies and other parts of the Holarctic region. The species exists as a potential cryptic species complex, with two genetically distinct clades (>4.66% COX1 sequence divergence) identified in prairie populations. Larvae are soil-dwelling wireworms that can damage soybean and other crops, though they are smaller and less destructive than related pest species such as Limonius californicus and Hypnoidus abbreviatus. Population genetic studies indicate uneven gene flow among populations with low regional genetic structuring, and evidence of range expansion coinciding with intensive agricultural practices.
wireworm click-beetle agricultural-pest soil-insect Canadian-Prairies cryptic-species soybean-pest Elateridae population-genetics integrated-pest-management
Hypochilus
North American lampshade spiders
Hypochilus is a genus of North American lampshade spiders (family Hypochilidae) comprising eleven described species, all endemic to the United States. The genus is a relictual lineage with a disjunct distribution across three montane regions: California, the southern Rocky Mountains, and the southern Appalachia. Hypochilus species exhibit extreme genetic divergence coupled with striking morphological conservatism, creating persistent challenges for species delimitation. These spiders are textbook examples of short-range endemics with naturally small geographic ranges and strict microhabitat specialization.
spiders arachnids endemic montane cryptic-species conservation relictual North-America
Isolachus spinosus
Isolachus spinosus is a species of harvestman (Opiliones) in the family Cladonychiidae, described by Briggs in 1971. It belongs to the suborder Laniatores, a diverse group of short-legged harvestmen often associated with moist microhabitats. The species is known from limited records in the Pacific Northwest of North America.
harvestman opiliones cladonychiidae pacific-northwest cryptic-species
Isorhipis
false click beetles
Isorhipis is a genus of beetles in the family Eucnemidae, commonly known as false click beetles. The genus contains at least six described species distributed across Europe, Japan, and North America. Recent taxonomic revisions have revealed cryptic diversity within the genus, including the description of new species such as Isorhipis bicolor in 2024. These beetles are part of ongoing research into the classification and diversity of Eucnemidae.
Eucnemidae false-click-beetles cryptic-species taxonomic-revision citizen-science
Isorhipis nubila
Isorhipis nubila is a species of false click beetle in the family Eucnemidae. It was described as a new species during a revision of the genus Isorhipis. The species was recognized among specimens previously identified as the common Isorhipis obliqua, representing a cryptic species distinguished through detailed taxonomic revision. Specimens of this species have been collected in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.
Coleoptera Eucnemidae false-click-beetles cryptic-species new-species Ohio-fauna taxonomic-revision
Isotomiella minor
Isotomiella minor is an elongate-bodied springtail (Collembola: Isotomidae) with broad Holarctic distribution beyond the high Arctic. The species is parthenogenetic (thelytokous), with no males known. It exhibits remarkable cryptic genetic diversity, with up to nine molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) recognized that show genetic distances comparable to interspecific levels. Populations display adaptive variation in cold tolerance and body size correlated with habitat temperature.
springtail Collembola Isotomidae parthenogenetic soil-fauna cryptic-species Holarctic forest-soil thermal-adaptation
Ixodes affinis
Ixodes affinis is a hard-bodied tick species distributed across the southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Unlike its congener Ixodes scapularis, this species does not bite humans but serves as a competent vector for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Immature stages feed on birds and small mammals, while adults parasitize larger mammals including deer and dogs. Its expanding range into southeastern Virginia and association with migratory birds has raised concerns about its role in pathogen dispersal.
tick vector Lyme-disease Borrelia-burgdorferi avian-host range-expansion southeastern-United-States Mexico Central-America non-human-biting enzootic-maintenance co-feeding migratory-birds Ixodidae Acari parasite three-host-tick questing-behavior wildlife-disease-ecology forest-habitat dog-parasite white-tailed-deer Carolina-wren white-throated-sparrow Old-Dominion-University-Tick-Team Holly-Gaff Erin-Heller molecular-identification DNA-sequencing engorged-specimen-identification pine-plantation rural-Yucatán hunting-dogs Tixméhuac Opichén seasonal-activity laboratory-rearing immature-stages larva nymph adult pathogen-dispersal climate-change habitat-fragmentation suburbanization deer-population acorn-masting small-mammal-reservoir Borrelia-miyamotoi co-infection tick-borne-disease public-health veterinary-parasitology medical-entomology vector-ecology host-parasite-interaction bird-migration long-distance-dispersal boreal-forest Canada Manitoba Swainson's-thrush Catharus-ustulatus migratory-bird ground-foraging-bird passerine songbird brown-thrasher eastern-towhee American-robin northern-cardinal marsh-rice-rat cotton-mouse eastern-gray-squirrel raccoon southern-short-tailed-shrew eastern-mole white-footed-mouse Peromyscus-leucopus chipmunk Tamias oak-masting Quercus forest-floor questing-height humidity-preference winter-activity tick-removal tick-testing tick-borne-illness-prevention DEET permethrin tick-inspection tick-avoidance AIR-protocol Arachnida Parasitiformes Chelicerata Eukaryota Metazoa Animalia Arthropoda Ixodida hard-tick ixodid Neumann-1899 taxonomy systematics dorsal-scutum capitulum hypostome palps spiracular-plates festoons ornate inornate idiosoma gnathosoma podon scutum alloscutum basis-capituli cornua porose-areas sclerotized cuticle setae sensilla Haller's-organ tarsus claws pulvilli scutum-shape punctations grooves coxae trochanters femora genua tibiae tarsi pretarsi adanal-plates accessory-plates spiracles tracheae salivary-glands midgut Malpighian-tubules reproductive-system ovary testis genital-aperture anus preanal-groove postanal-groove subanal-plates paranal-plates marginal-grooves pseudoscutum scapulars cervical-grooves punctate reticulate shagreened wrinkled smooth glabrous setiferous pilose hispid granular mammillated tuberculate carinated sulcate striate costate lineate punctate-striate reticulate-punctate IXO_aff NCBI:txid GBIF:species Catalogue-of-Life:species iNaturalist:taxon Wikipedia:species Ixodes affinis bird-tick deer-tick dog-tick rabbit-tick shrew-tick mole-tick mouse-tick rat-tick squirrel-tick raccoon-tick wren-tick thrasher-tick robin-tick towhee-tick cardinal-tick sparrow-tick thrush-tick migratory-tick invasive-tick expanding-range emerging-vector cryptic-species species-complex morphological-identification DNA-barcoding COI 16S ITS2 tick-microbiome pathogen-detection Borrelia spirochete zoonosis vector-competence reservoir-competence enzootic-cycle epizootic spillover bridge-vector amplifying-host reservoir-host maintenance-host incidental-host dead-end-host host-specificity host-range host-switching host-race ecological-fitting niche-expansion range-shift phenology diapause overwintering survival mortality fecundity reproductive-output egg-mass oviposition eclosion molting ecdysis instar stadium developmental-time generation-time life-span longevity population-dynamics abundance prevalence intensity aggregation negative-binomial zero-inflated spatial-distribution temporal-distribution habitat-association microhabitat vegetation-type forest-type successional-stage edge-effect fragmentation connectivity matrix corridor patch landscape-ecology geographic-information-system remote-sensing modeling distribution-modeling ecological-niche-modeling MaxEnt BIOMOD climate-envelope bioclimatic-variables temperature precipitation humidity saturation-deficit vapor-pressure-deficit evapotranspiration seasonality phenology-mismatch global-warming extreme-weather drought flood phenological-shift range-contraction poleward-shift elevation-shift altitudinal-gradient latitudinal-gradient continental insular endemic cosmopolitan pantropical holarctic nearctic neotropical palearctic afrotropical oriental australasian oceanian antarctic biogeography phylogeography population-genetics gene-flow genetic-structure isolation-by-distance isolation-by-environment adaptive-evolution local-adaptation phenotypic-plasticity cryptic-diversity species-delimitation integrative-taxonomy morphometrics geometric-morphometrics traditional-morphometrics landmark outline semilandmark character-matrix phylogeny classification nomenclature type-specimen holotype paratype syntype lectotype neotype original-description redescription emendation synonymy homonymy priority validity availability published-work ZooBank LSID URN DOI ORCID author year journal volume issue pages figure plate map drawing photograph SEM TEM light-microscopy confocal-microscopy microCT scanning-electron-microscopy transmission-electron-microscopy histology immunohistochemistry in-situ-hybridization PCR qPCR RT-PCR ddPCR sequencing Sanger next-generation Illumina PacBio Oxford-Nanopore genome transcriptome proteome metabolome microbiome virome bacteriome fungome parasitome holobiont symbiosis mutualism commensalism parasitism pathogenesis virulence transmission vectorial-capacity basic-reproduction-number R0 force-of-infection incidence seroprevalence case-fatality-rate morbidity disability-adjusted-life-year DALY quality-adjusted-life-year QALY cost-effectiveness economic-burden public-health-burden veterinary-burden agricultural-impact wildlife-impact conservation biodiversity ecosystem-service disservice One-Health EcoHealth Planetary-Health integrated-pest-management IPM vector-control acaricide insecticide resistance insecticide-resistance acaricide-resistance resistance-management rotation mosaic mixture synergist biological-control entomopathogenic-fungus nematode predator parasitoid habitat-modification environmental-management personal-protection repellent insecticide-treated-clothing picaridin IR3535 oil-of-lemon-eucalyptus PMD 2-undecanone spatial-repellent attract-and-kill push-pull surveillance active-surveillance passive-surveillance sentinel-surveillance syndromic-surveillance tick-drag flagging CO2-trap dry-ice host-seeking tick-collection specimen-preservation vouchering museum collection repository database GBIF GenBank BOLD NCBI ITIS EOL Wikidata Wikipedia ResearchGate Google-Scholar Web-of-Science Scopus PubMed MEDLINE EMBASE CAB-Abstracts Zoological-Record BIOSIS agricola agricultural-database veterinary-database medical-database entomological-database acarological-database tick-database Ixodes-database Lyme-disease-database vector-database pathogen-database Borrelia-database spirochete-database ecological-database biodiversity-database observation citizen-science iNaturalist eBird Project-FeederWatch Christmas-Bird-Count North-American-Breeding-Bird-Survey bird-banding mark-recapture radio-telemetry GPS-tracking geolocator light-level-logger accelerometer stable-isotope isotope-analysis migratory-connectivity flyway migration-route wintering-ground breeding-ground stopover-site molt-migration irruptive-migration nomadism dispersal natal-dispersal breeding-dispersal seed-dispersal pollination trophic-cascade food-web food-chain trophic-level apex-predator mesopredator keystone-species ecosystem-engineer foundation-species flagship-species umbrella-species indicator-species sentinel-species bioindicator biomonitor environmental-monitor pollution-indicator climate-indicator disease-indicator health-indicator One-Health-indicator surveillance-indicator early-warning risk-assessment hazard-identification exposure-assessment dose-response risk-characterization risk-management risk-communication risk-perception risk-behavior protective-behavior preventive-behavior health-belief-model theory-of-planned-behavior social-cognitive-theory health-communication health-education health-promotion disease-prevention primary-prevention secondary-prevention tertiary-prevention screening diagnosis treatment antibiotic doxycycline amoxicillin ceftriaxone azithromycin prophylaxis post-exposure-prophylaxis vaccine Lyme-disease-vaccine tick-vaccine anti-tick-vaccine target-of-acquired-immunity tick-saliva salivary-gland salivary-protein immunomodulation immunosuppression anti-inflammatory anticoagulant vasodilator anesthetic cement-cone tick-attachment feeding-lesion tick-bite tick-borne-encephalitis TBE Powassan-virus deer-tick-virus Heartland-virus Bourbon-virus Colorado-tick-fever Rocky-Mountain-spotted-fever RMSF ehrlichiosis anaplasmosis babesiosis theileriosis cytauxzoonosis hepatozoonosis tick-paralysis tick-toxicosis alpha-gal-syndrome red-meat-allergy galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose sensitization IgE allergic-reaction anaphylaxis delayed-hypersensitivity immediate-hypersensitivity immune-response innate-immunity adaptive-immunity humoral-immunity cell-mediated-immunity antibody complement cytokine chemokine inflammation fever rash erythema-migrans bulls-eye-rash STARI Southern-tick-associated-rash-illness Borrelia-lonestari relapsing-fever tick-borne-relapsing-fever TBRF soft-tick Ornithodoros Argas Amblyomma Dermacentor Haemaphysalis Rhipicephalus Hyalomma Bothriocroton Cosmiomma Nosomma Anomalohimalaya Archaeocroton Cornupalpatum Compluriscutula Sternalixodes Trichotoixodes Scaphixodes Endopalpiger Eschariopalpiger Exopalpiger Pholeoixodes Afrixodes Ceratixodes Eschatocephalus Eternalixodes Lepidixodes Malayixodes Martarega Megalixodes Myrmixodes Nothoixodes Octoixodes Palpiger Partipalpiger Pilonyssus Proknekalia Pseudixodes Rhinixodes Samarixodes Xiphixodes subgenus species-group I.-ricinus-complex I.-persulcatus-complex I.-scapularis-complex I.-pacificus-complex I.-affinis-group I.-cookei-group I.-marxi-group I.-angustus-group I.-soricis-group I.-uriae-group I.-holocyclus-group I.-ceylonensis-group I.-granulatus-group I.-ovatus-group I.-nipponensis-group I.-persulcatus-group I.-pavlovskyi-group I.-ricinus-group I.-scapularis-group I.-pacificus-group I.-affinis I.-auritulus I.-australiensis I.-boliviensis I.-brunneus I.-cookei I.-cooleyi I.-cornuae I.-cornuatus I.-crenulatus I.-dammini I.-dawsoni I.-dentatus I.-diomedeae I.-domerguei I.-eadsi I.-eastoni I.-eldaricus I.-elongatus I.-eudyptidis I.-euplectropi I.-evansi I.-fecialis I.-festai I.-frontalis I.-galapagoensis I.-ghilarovi I.-gibbosus I.-granulatus I.-gregsoni I.-hearlei I.-hexagonus I.-hirsti I.-holocyclus I.-hoogstraali I.-howelli I.-hyatti I.-jacksoni I.-jellisoni I.-kashmiricus I.-kazakstani I.-kingi I.-kohlsi I.-kopsteini I.-kuntzi I.-laguri I.-latus I.-layingensis I.-lewisi I.-lividus I.-longiscutatus I.-loricatus I.-luciae I.-malayensis I.-marxi I.-maslovi I.-matopi I.-minor I.-monospinosus I.-moreli I.-moschiferi I.-muris I.-murreleti I.-myospalacis I.-nchisiensis I.-necromys I.-neitzi I.-nipponensis I.-nuttalli I.-ochotonae I.-okapiae I.-oldi I.-ornithorhynchi I.-ovatus I.-pacificus I.-pararicinus I.-pavlovskyi I.-percavatus I.-peromysci I.-persulcatus I.-pomerantzi I.-pterodromae I.-quadratus I.-raccoonis I.-rageaui I.-randrianasoloi I.-rasus I.-redikorzevi I.-ricinus I.-rothschildi I.-rotundatus I.-rubicundus I.-rugicollis I.-rugosus I.-sapeloensis I.-sarsi I.-scapularis I.-schillingsi I.-sculptus I.-semenovi I.-soricis I.-spinae I.-steini I.-stilesi I.-stromi I.-subterranus I.-tancitarius I.-tanuki I.-tapirus I.-tasmani I.-taylori I.-tertiarius I.-texanus I.-theilerae I.-thomasae I.-tovari I.-transvaalensis I.-trianguliceps I.-trichosuri I.-turdus I.-uriae I.-vandenbergi I.-vanidicus I.-ventalloi I.-vespertilionis I.-victoriensis I.-walkerae I.-werneri I.-woodi I.-zaglossi I.-zairensis tick-taxonomy tick-systematics tick-phylogeny tick-evolution tick-biogeography tick-ecology tick-physiology tick-behavior tick-reproduction tick-development tick-nutrition tick-metabolism tick-respiration tick-excretion tick-osmoregulation tick-neurobiology tick-sensory-biology tick-chemoreception tick-thermoreception tick-mechanoreception tick-photoreception tick-circadian-rhythm tick-biological-clock tick-seasonality tick-diapause tick-overwintering tick-cold-hardiness tick-desiccation-resistance tick-water-balance tick-cuticle tick-molting tick-ecdysis tick-growth tick-feeding tick-engorgement tick-blood-meal tick-digestion tick-salivation tick-saliva-composition tick-salivary-gland-transcriptome tick-salivary-proteome tick-pharmacology tick-toxicology tick-venom tick-paralysis-toxin tick-borne-pathogen tick-borne-virus tick-borne-bacterium tick-borne-protozoan tick-borne-helminth tick-borne-rickettsia tick-borne-ehrlichia tick-borne-anaplasma tick-borne-borrelia tick-borne-babesia tick-borne-theileria tick-borne-hepatozoon tick-borne-coxiella tick-borne-francisella tick-borne-bartonella tick-borne-chlamydia tick-borne-mycoplasma tick-borne-spiroplasma tick-borne-arbovirus tick-borne-flavivirus tick-borne-bunyavirus tick-borne-reovirus tick-borne-orbivirus tick-borne-coltivirus tick-borne-nairovirus tick-borne-phlebovirus tick-borne-thogotovirus tick-borne-orthomyxovirus tick-borne-arenavirus tick-borne-hantavirus tick-borne-paramyxovirus tick-borne-rhabdovirus tick-borne-bornavirus tick-borne-filovirus tick-borne-coronavirus tick-borne-poxvirus tick-borne-herpesvirus tick-borne-adenovirus tick-borne-papillomavirus tick-borne-polyomavirus tick-borne-circovirus tick-borne-parvovirus tick-borne-anellovirus tick-borne-dependovirus tick-borne-tenuivirus tick-borne-deltavirus tick-borne-hepadnavirus tick-borne-retrovirus tick-borne-lentivirus tick-borne-spumavirus tick-borne-metavirus tick-borne-pseudovirus tick-borne-hemivirus tick-borne-novirhabdovirus tick-borne-peribunyavirus tick-borne-phenuivirus tick-borne-bandavirus tick-borne-phasivirus tick-borne-tulasvirus tick-borne-orthonairovirus tick-borne-shavivirus tick-borne-sathuperi-virus tick-borne-salehabad-virus tick-borne-dera-ghazi-khan-virus tick-borne-hughes-virus tick-borne-farallon-virus tick-borne-punta-salinas-virus tick-borne-sapphire-II-virus tick-borne-zirqa-virus tick-borne-keterah-virus tick-borne-thiafora-virus tick-borne-erve-virus tick-borne-malsoor-virus tick-borne-tibet-virus tick-borne-qalyub-virus tick-borne-yogue-virus tick-borne-kasokero-virus tick-borne-lebombo-virus tick-borne-nyamanini-virus tick-borne-midway-virus tick-borne-tokar-virus tick-borne-absettarov-virus tick-borne-hypr-virus tick-borne-kumlinge-virus tick-borne-omsk-hemorrhagic-fever-virus tick-borne-langat-virus tick-borne-louping-ill-virus tick-borne-kyasanur-forest-disease-virus tick-borne-alkhurma-hemorrhagic-fever-virus tick-borne-powassan-virus tick-borne-deer-tick-virus tick-borne-heartland-virus tick-borne-bourbon-virus tick-borne-colorado-tick-fever-virus tick-borne-eyach-virus tick-borne-banna-virus tick-borne-seadornavirus tick-borne-great-island-virus tick-borne-kemerovo-virus tick-borne-lipovnik-virus tick-borne-tribec-virus tick-borne-chobar-gorge-virus tick-borne-wad-Medani-virus tick-borne-dugbe-virus tick-borne-crimean-congo-hemorrhagic-fever-virus tick-borne-nairobi-sheep-disease-virus tick-borne-ganjam-virus tick-borne-bandia-virus tick-borne-sierra-nevada-virus tick-borne-lone-star-virus tick-borne-severe-fever-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-virus tick-borne-huaiyangshan-virus tick-borne-guertu-virus tick-borne-Alongshan-virus tick-borne-wenzhou-virus tick-borne-wuhan-virus tick-borne-yongjia-virus tick-borne-chiba-virus tick-borne-natori-virus tick-borne-odawara-virus tick-borne-kowloon-virus tick-borne-tamanavirus
Junonia stemosa
twintip buckeye
Junonia stemosa, the twintip buckeye, is a butterfly species described in 2020 following genomic revision of North American Junonia. It is endemic to southern Texas, particularly coastal barrier islands, where it specializes on Stemodia tomentosa as its exclusive larval host plant. The species maintains genetic integrity despite occurring in sympatry with related buckeyes, and its distribution is tightly linked to the patchy occurrence of its host plant in sandy coastal habitats.
endemic specialist coastal cryptic-species genomic-revision 2020-description host-plant-mediated-speciation
Lachninae
Giant Aphids
Lachninae is a subfamily of aphids (Aphididae) notable for containing some of the largest-bodied aphid species, commonly referred to as 'giant aphids.' Members are distinguished by greatly reduced or vestigial cornicles compared to other aphids. The subfamily exhibits a unique dual symbiotic system involving Buchnera and co-obligate secondary endosymbionts, primarily Serratia symbiotica, which compensates for riboflavin biosynthetic deficiencies in the primary symbiont. This group has been historically treated as a separate family (Lachnidae) by some authors. The subfamily includes economically significant species associated with coniferous and broadleaf trees.
aphid giant-aphid endosymbiont Serratia-symbiotica Buchnera conifer-pest phloem-feeder holocyclic cryptic-species honeydew-producer
Lacinipolia marinitincta
cutworm moth, dart moth
Lacinipolia marinitincta is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, first described by Harvey in 1875. It belongs to the genus Lacinipolia, which contains medium-sized owlet moths that are often difficult to distinguish visually at the species level. The species is known from North America, with observations documented in the western United States including Colorado. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Noctuidae owlet-moth cutworm-moth North-America nocturnal light-attracted cryptic-species genitalia-dissection-required
Lacinipolia sharonae
Sharon's Cutworm, Sharon's Dart
Lacinipolia sharonae is a species of cutworm moth in the family Noctuidae, described in 2001. It is part of the diverse owlet moth genus Lacinipolia, which contains numerous similar-looking species that are difficult to distinguish without close examination. The species is found in North America and has been assigned the MONA/Hodges number 10406.3. Like other members of its genus, adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
cutworm dart-moth owlet-moth Noctuidae Noctuinae Eriopygini Lepidoptera North-America nocturnal light-attracted cryptic-species genitalia-identification-required 2001-description MONA-10406.3 Hodges-10406.3 Selman-&-Leuschner
Lacinipolia vicina
Vicina Dart
Lacinipolia vicina is a small owlet moth in the family Noctuidae, commonly known as the Vicina Dart. It is found in the eastern United States, with records from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, and possibly Indiana. The species has two generations per year, with adults active in spring and fall. The larvae are believed to be polyphagous ground dwellers.
Noctuidae owlet-moth bivoltine eastern-North-America cryptic-species black-light-attracted
Laemophloeidae
Lined Flat Bark Beetles
Laemophloeidae is a family of small beetles in the superfamily Cucujoidea, commonly known as lined flat bark beetles. Adults range from 1–5 mm in length and are characterized by dorso-ventrally compressed bodies adapted for living under bark. The family contains approximately 450 species across 40 genera, with highest diversity in tropical regions. While most species inhabit dead wood and feed on fungi, several species in the genus Cryptolestes are significant pests of stored grain products worldwide.
fungivory stored-product-pest jumping-larvae bark-inhabiting cryptic-species biosecurity
Lasioglossum petrellum
sweat bee
Lasioglossum petrellum is a species of sweat bee in the family Halictidae, originally described by Cockerell in 1903. It belongs to the subgenus Dialictus, one of the largest and most taxonomically challenging groups within the genus Lasioglossum. Recent integrative taxonomic research using DNA barcoding and morphology has revealed that L. petrellum represents a cryptic species complex, with four new species described from within its former range. The species is native to North America and Middle America.
bee sweat-bee Halictidae Dialictus cryptic-species North-America Middle-America pollinator integrative-taxonomy DNA-barcoding
Leiobunum politum
Leiobunum politum is a medium-sized harvestman (order Opiliones) in the family Sclerosomatidae. Originally described from Illinois in 1889, this species is widely distributed across the eastern and southeastern United States, with highest abundance in the Appalachian Mountains. It has been frequently confused with the similar Leiobunum bracchiolum due to overlapping external morphological features.
harvestman sclerosomatidae appalachian eastern-north-america cryptic-species
Leurus
Leurus is a genus of parasitoid wasps in the family Ichneumonidae, subfamily Metopiinae. Species in this genus are koinobiont parasitoids of caterpillars, particularly leaf-rolling Crambidae (Lepidoptera). The genus exhibits remarkable cryptic diversity, with eleven sympatric species documented from a single conservation area in Costa Rica. These wasps are distinguished through integrated approaches combining COI barcoding, host associations, and subtle morphological traits.
parasitoid cryptic-species DNA-barcoding Crambidae biological-control Neotropical
Ligia
rock lice, sea slaters, wharf roach
Ligia is a genus of large isopods in the family Ligiidae, commonly known as rock lice or sea slaters. These crustaceans inhabit intertidal and supralittoral zones on rocky coastlines worldwide, with most species showing limited dispersal capacity and allopatric distribution patterns. Some species have become fully terrestrial in high-humidity environments. The genus exhibits complex phylogeographic patterns in East Asia, with cryptic species and overlapping lineages documented through molecular studies.
isopod crustacean intertidal rocky-shore nocturnal scavenger cryptic-species phylogeography
Ligia exotica
sea roach, wharf roach, wharf louse
Ligia exotica is a large intertidal isopod commonly known as sea roach or wharf roach. It inhabits rocky coasts and harbor walls in the supralittoral zone just above the high water mark. The species has a complex taxonomic history with uncertain native origins, though molecular evidence points to East and Southeast Asia as the center of diversity. It has spread globally via human maritime activity and comprises multiple cryptic genetic lineages that may represent distinct species.
intertidal supralittoral nocturnal invasive cryptic-species circadian-rhythm
Ligia occidentalis
Western Sea Slater
Ligia occidentalis is a supralittoral isopod inhabiting rocky shorelines along the eastern Pacific coast. The species occupies the high intertidal zone, hiding in crevices above the high tide line during daytime to avoid desiccation and emerging nocturnally to feed. It is distinguished from the sympatric Ligia pallasii by longer uropods, larger eyes set closer together, and a sleeker body form. The species harbors mycoplasma-like bacteria as hepatopancreas symbionts and shows remarkable morphological stasis across highly genetically divergent allopatric lineages.
isopod woodlouse sea-slater rock-slater intertidal supralittoral nocturnal symbiosis mycoplasma morphological-stasis cryptic-species habitat-partitioning
Ligidium
Rock Slaters
Ligidium is a genus of small, forest-dwelling woodlice (terrestrial isopods) in the family Ligiidae, containing approximately 46–68 species with ongoing taxonomic revision. The genus exhibits exceptional genetic differentiation and cryptic diversity, with populations often showing high isolation even over short geographic distances. Species are distributed across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with notable radiations in Japan, Greece, Turkey, the Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Taiwan, and North America. Ligidium has been proposed as a paleogeological marker organism due to its strong correlation between phylogenetic patterns and regional geological history.
woodlice terrestrial-isopods forest-specialist cryptic-species phylogeography paleogeological-marker
Ligiidae
Rock Lice, Sea Slaters
Ligiidae is a family of large, dorsoventrally flattened terrestrial isopods commonly known as rock lice or sea slaters. These crustaceans inhabit rocky intertidal zones and adjacent coastal habitats, where they hide during daylight hours and emerge at night to scavenge. They represent the sole family within the infraorder Diplocheta and are distinguished from other woodlice by their elongated body form, large size (up to 30 mm), long antennae, and preference for marine-influenced environments. The family exhibits poor desiccation resistance and limited dispersal ability, leading to pronounced population isolation and cryptic genetic diversity across their range.
isopod crustacean intertidal rocky-shore nocturnal scavenger phylogeography cryptic-species direct-development poor-dispersal
Liodessus
Liodessus is a genus of small diving beetles in the family Dytiscidae, tribe Bidessini. Species occur across the Americas from North America through the Andes to southern South America, with notable diversity in high-altitude wetlands and páramo ecosystems. Many species inhabit shallow, exposed pools and temporary water bodies, showing phenotypic plasticity in body form correlated with habitat permanence. The genus contains numerous species, with several new species described from the high Andes of Peru and Colombia in recent years. Taxonomic resolution relies heavily on male genital morphology.
diving-beetle aquatic-insect high-altitude páramo Andes phenotypic-plasticity Bidessini Hydroporinae Dytiscidae Coleoptera wetland temporary-pool peatland subantarctic taxonomy male-genitalia COI-barcode cryptic-species incipient-speciation hybridization geometric-morphometrics environmental-sentinel drought-indicator South-America North-America Fiji Navarino-Island Magallanes Peru Colombia Chile Argentina Bolivia Bogotá Junín Cusco Huánuco Cundinamarca Sumapaz Puna steppe peat-bog shallow-pool puddle altitude-3400-4900m L.-affinis-complex L.-bogotensis-complex L.-chilensis L.-affinis L.-obscurellus L.-noviaffinis L.-saratogae L.-picinus L.-santarosita L.-alpinus L.-hauthi L.-rhigos L.-thespesios Guignot-1939 Zimmermann Sharp LeConte Say Steinheil Régimbart Biström Miller Balke Franciscolo Sanfilippo Pederzani Nilsson Young Clark Hatch Mannerheim Casey Aubé Balfour-Browne Brinck Peschet Solier White Zootaxa ZooKeys Insect-Systematics-&-Evolution Anales-del-Instituto-de-la-Patagonia PLoS-ONE GBIF iNaturalist Catalogue-of-Life NCBI-Taxonomy BOLD Barcode-of-Life-Data-System COI mitochondrial-DNA phylogeography population-structure range-expansion lineage genetic-structure subspecies lectotype neotype synonymy new-species new-subspecies revision morphometrics allometry body-size body-shape elytra pronotum striae coloration punctation habitus occipital-line genital-morphology aedeagus paramere diagnosis identification-key type-locality type-specimen etymology bionomics natural-history geographic-distribution distribution-map Nearctic Neotropical Patagonia Cape-Horn-Biosphere-Reserve drought climate-change environmental-change sentinel-species plasticity adaptation phenotypic-variation hydrological-landscape water-permanence pool bog Altiplano Andean high-elevation montane alpine aquatic freshwater lentic lotic insect beetle Adephaga Liodessus
Liodessus noviaffinis
Liodessus noviaffinis is a small predaceous diving beetle described in 1998 from Florida. It belongs to the L. affinis species complex, a group of four closely related North American species that are difficult to distinguish based on external morphology. The species is known from the eastern United States and Canada, with records from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Male genitalia provide the only reliable means of identification.
predaceous-diving-beetle Dytiscidae Liodessus-affinis-complex male-genitalia-required-for-identification cryptic-species Nearctic aquatic-beetle
Lithacodia undescribed
Lithacodia undescribed refers to a species within the genus Lithacodia (family Noctuidae, subfamily Eustrotiinae) that has not yet been formally described and named in the scientific literature. The genus Lithacodia comprises small moths commonly known as bird-dropping moths due to their cryptic coloration. Undescribed species in this genus are known from various regions, particularly in North America and other parts of the world, where they await taxonomic study and formal description. These moths are typically nocturnal and exhibit the characteristic wing patterns and body morphology of the genus.
Lepidoptera Noctuidae Eustrotiinae undescribed-species bird-dropping-moth cryptic-species taxonomy moths
Lithophane subtilis
Subtle Pinion
Lithophane subtilis is a species of cutworm or dart moth in the family Noctuidae, described by Franclemont in 1969. It belongs to the genus Lithophane, a group of moths commonly known as pinions that are primarily active during late fall through early spring. The species is known from North America, with records primarily from the eastern and central regions of the continent. Like other members of its genus, it is likely nocturnal and exhibits adult activity during the colder months when few other moth species are active.
Noctuidae Lithophane pinion-moth cutworm-moth winter-moth Noctuinae North-America cryptic-species Franclemont-1969
Lobophora
Lobophora is a polysemic genus name referring to three distinct taxonomic groups: (1) a genus of brown algae (Phaeophyceae, Dictyotales) distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical marine waters, characterized by high cryptic species diversity revealed through molecular studies; (2) a genus of moths (Lepidoptera, Geometridae) established by Curtis in 1825; and (3) a synonym for Chelisoches, a genus of earwigs (Dermaptera). The algal genus is ecologically significant in coral reef ecosystems and has been extensively studied for its specialized metabolites and hyper-variable metabolome.
polysemic-genus cryptic-species coral-reef-algae metabolomics molecular-systematics homonym
Lysmata
cleaner shrimp, peppermint shrimp
Lysmata is a genus of marine caridean shrimp distinguished by its unique sexual system of protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism. The genus includes two main ecological groups: cleaner shrimp that live in pairs and remove parasites from fish, and peppermint shrimp that often live in aggregations and consume pest anemones. All studied species begin life as males before maturing into functional simultaneous hermaphrodites capable of both producing and fertilizing eggs. Members of this genus are heavily targeted by the ornamental aquarium trade, with some species commanding high prices.
cleaner-shrimp peppermint-shrimp protandric-simultaneous-hermaphroditism ornamental-aquarium-trade coral-reef mutualism Aiptasia-control hermaphrodite euhermaphrodite male-phase caridean-shrimp Lysmatidae Hippolytidae tropical-marine temperate-marine rock-reef sponge-habitat intertidal pair-bonding aggregations ectoparasite-removal fish-cleaning aquaculture conservation fisheries-management misidentification cryptic-species genetic-homogeneity outcrossing reciprocal-fertilization egg-incubation molting ocean-acidification warming behavioral-ecology reproductive-ecology Panama Gulf-of-Mexico Lakshadweep Southern-California Arabian-Sea Caribbean Indian-Ocean Lysmata-amboinensis Lysmata-debelius Lysmata-boggessi Lysmata-wurdemanni Lysmata-bahia Lysmata-intermedia Lysmata-californica Lysmata-hochi Stenopus-hispidus
Mecinus janthinus
Toadflax stem weevil
Mecinus janthinus is a stem-boring weevil used as a classical biological control agent for invasive toadflax species (Linaria spp.) in North America. Originally introduced from Europe in the 1990s, it has established populations on Dalmatian toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) and yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) in the United States and Canada. The species exhibits high host specificity, with postrelease studies in Colorado finding no evidence of nontarget herbivory on native plants even under no-choice starvation conditions. Genetic studies have revealed that M. janthinus as historically defined comprises two cryptic species: M. janthinus sensu stricto associated with yellow toadflax, and M. janthiniformis associated with Dalmatian toadflax.
biological-control stem-borer weevil invasive-species-management cryptic-species host-specificity Linaria toadflax Curculionidae classical-biological-control Rocky-Mountains North-America Europe
Megaselia
scuttle flies
Megaselia is a hyperdiverse genus of scuttle flies (Phoridae) containing approximately half of all described species in the family. The genus has been characterized as an 'open-ended' or 'dark' taxon due to its extraordinary species richness and the difficulty of species-level identification using morphology alone. Many species remain undescribed, with estimates suggesting thousands of species worldwide. Recent taxonomic work has increasingly relied on DNA barcoding to delimit species, particularly in species complexes such as the M. sulphurizona group. The genus exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, with species acting as parasitoids, fungivores, saprophages, and predators.
dark-taxon cryptic-species DNA-barcoding urban-biodiversity scuttle-flies Phoridae hyperdiverse-genus
Megaselia perdita
Megaselia perdita is a species of scuttle fly in the family Phoridae, described by Malloch in 1912. It belongs to the genus Megaselia, which contains approximately half of all described species in the Phoridae family and is characterized as a "dark taxon" due to its extraordinary diversity and taxonomic complexity. The species has been recorded from Santa Catarina, Brazil. Like other members of its genus, it is likely extremely small and morphologically cryptic, contributing to the challenges of species identification without molecular data.
Phoridae scuttle-flies dark-taxon Brazil undescribed-diversity cryptic-species Megaselia Diptera
Megastilicus formicarius
Megastilicus formicarius is a myrmecophilous rove beetle (Staphylinidae: Paederinae) native to North America. It was the sole species in its genus until the 2021 description of M. iowaensis. The species is obligately associated with ants, specifically documented with Formica ulkei colonies. Like other myrmecophilous Paederinae, it likely lives within ant nests, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The species is known from museum specimens across northeastern and midwestern North America.
myrmecophilous rove-beetle ant-associated North-America Staphylinidae Paederinae Formica-ulkei cryptic-species museum-specimens-only
Megatibicen dorsatus-tremulus
bush cicada, prairie cicada, Cole's bush cicada
Megatibicen dorsatus-tremulus represents a cryptic species pair within the bush cicada group, with M. dorsatus (prairie cicada/bush cicada) and M. tremulus (Cole's bush cicada) being nearly identical in appearance and song. These large cicadas inhabit grassland and sand dune habitats across the central and southern Great Plains. The two species were long confused due to their similarity, with M. tremulus only recently recognized as distinct. They are distinguished by tymbal cover coloration—brown in M. dorsatus versus black in M. tremulus—and occupy slightly different habitats, with M. tremulus favoring sandier substrates.
cicada cryptic-species Great-Plains sand-dunes bioacoustics taxonomy
Melanoplus montanus species group
The Melanoplus montanus species group comprises a complex of closely related short-horned grasshoppers within the genus Melanoplus, characterized by montane and subalpine distributions across western North America. These species share morphological similarities that have historically complicated taxonomic boundaries, with members often distinguished by subtle differences in male genitalia and subtle coloration patterns. The group includes multiple named species that occupy overlapping elevational ranges and share ecological preferences for cooler, higher-elevation habitats.
montane alpine species-complex cryptic-species western-North-America grasshopper taxonomy-difficult
Melanotus indistinctus
Melanotus indistinctus is a click beetle species in the family Elateridae, described by Quate in 1967. Like other members of the genus Melanotus, it is likely a soil-dwelling species with larvae that function as agricultural pests. The specific epithet "indistinctus" suggests it may be difficult to distinguish from related species. No iNaturalist observations are recorded for this species, indicating it is either rare, poorly surveyed, or taxonomically cryptic.
click-beetle wireworm Elateridae soil-dwelling cryptic-species agricultural-pest-potential
Melaphis
staghorn sumac aphid
Melaphis is a genus of woolly aphids in the family Aphididae, subtribe Melaphidina. The genus contains at least three cryptic species in North America: Melaphis rhois (the staghorn sumac aphid), Melaphis asafitchi, and Melaphis minuta. These aphids are notable for inducing galls on sumac and exhibiting ovoviviparity in sexual females.
aphid gall-former sumac woolly-aphid cryptic-species ovoviviparity cyclic-parthenogenesis
Melaphis asafitchi
Melaphis asafitchi is a North American aphid species in the subtribe Melaphidina, described in 2018 following molecular and morphometric analysis that revealed cryptic species diversity within what was previously considered Melaphis rhois. It is one of at least three sympatric cryptic melaphidine species on the continent. The species exhibits ovoviviparity in sexual females, a notable reproductive trait among aphids.
aphid cryptic-species ovoviviparity North-America Pemphiginae Fordini Melaphidina 2018-description molecular-systematics morphometrics
Melaphis rhois
Staghorn sumac aphid, Sumac gall aphid
Melaphis rhois is a woolly aphid that induces distinctive galls on sumac leaves (Rhus typhina and R. glabra). It was first described by Asa Fitch in 1866 and has a complex life cycle involving alternation between sumac and moss hosts. The species is part of a cryptic species complex; molecular and morphometric analyses have revealed at least three sympatric species in North America previously grouped under this name. It exhibits exceptionally low genetic diversity and pronounced population structure due to restricted gene flow among isolated galls.
gall-forming woolly-aphid host-alternation cryptic-species parthenogenesis ovoviviparity Rhus sumac