Incipient-speciation
Guides
Asteromyia
Asteromyia is a genus of gall midges comprising approximately nine described species. Members of this genus induce distinct gall morphologies on host plants in the Asteraceae family, particularly Solidago (goldenrod) species. The genus is notable for complex ecological interactions, including obligate mutualisms with symbiotic fungi that form protective gall structures and mediate defense against parasitoids. Some species complexes exhibit incipient adaptive radiation with sympatric sibling species producing phenotypically distinct galls on the same host plant.
Enchenopa on-viburnum-rufidulum
Enchenopa on-viburnum-rufidulum is a treehopper species in the family Membracidae, documented as a host-specialist on Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw). This species represents part of a complex of Enchenopa host-races that have diversified on different plant lineages. The specific epithet reflects its documented association with this particular Viburnum host. Host-race formation in this group has been studied as a potential case of incipient speciation driven by host plant shifts.
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-beetleaquatic-insecthigh-altitudepáramoAndesphenotypic-plasticityBidessiniHydroporinaeDytiscidaeColeopterawetlandtemporary-poolpeatlandsubantarctictaxonomymale-genitaliaCOI-barcodecryptic-speciesincipient-speciationhybridizationgeometric-morphometricsenvironmental-sentineldrought-indicatorSouth-AmericaNorth-AmericaFijiNavarino-IslandMagallanesPeruColombiaChileArgentinaBoliviaBogotáJunínCuscoHuánucoCundinamarcaSumapazPunasteppepeat-bogshallow-poolpuddlealtitude-3400-4900mL.-affinis-complexL.-bogotensis-complexL.-chilensisL.-affinisL.-obscurellusL.-noviaffinisL.-saratogaeL.-picinusL.-santarositaL.-alpinusL.-hauthiL.-rhigosL.-thespesiosGuignot-1939ZimmermannSharpLeConteSaySteinheilRégimbartBiströmMillerBalkeFranciscoloSanfilippoPederzaniNilssonYoungClarkHatchMannerheimCaseyAubéBalfour-BrowneBrinckPeschetSolierWhiteZootaxaZooKeysInsect-Systematics-&-EvolutionAnales-del-Instituto-de-la-PatagoniaPLoS-ONEGBIFiNaturalistCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyBOLDBarcode-of-Life-Data-SystemCOImitochondrial-DNAphylogeographypopulation-structurerange-expansionlineagegenetic-structuresubspecieslectotypeneotypesynonymynew-speciesnew-subspeciesrevisionmorphometricsallometrybody-sizebody-shapeelytrapronotumstriaecolorationpunctationhabitusoccipital-linegenital-morphologyaedeagusparamerediagnosisidentification-keytype-localitytype-specimenetymologybionomicsnatural-historygeographic-distributiondistribution-mapNearcticNeotropicalPatagoniaCape-Horn-Biosphere-Reservedroughtclimate-changeenvironmental-changesentinel-speciesplasticityadaptationphenotypic-variationhydrological-landscapewater-permanencepoolbogAltiplanoAndeanhigh-elevationmontanealpineaquaticfreshwaterlenticloticinsectbeetleAdephagaLiodessusProdoxus
Bogus Yucca Moths
Prodoxus is a genus of moths in the family Prodoxidae comprising approximately 22 species, commonly known as bogus yucca moths. Unlike their pollinating relatives in the genus Tegeticula, Prodoxus species are non-pollinating yucca moths that exploit yucca plants as hosts without providing mutualistic services. The genus exhibits diverse feeding specializations, with larvae feeding on yucca flowering stalks, fruits, or leaves depending on the species. Host-associated divergence and incipient speciation have been documented, with specialization closely tied to host plant shifts.
Prodoxus coloradensis
Prodoxus coloradensis is a small yucca moth in the family Prodoxidae, distributed across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Unlike its pollinating relatives, this species is a commensalist herbivore that feeds on yucca flowering stalks without providing pollination service. The species exhibits host-associated genetic divergence and incipient speciation across its three known host plants, with evidence of female philopatry and sex-biased dispersal.
Strauzia
Sunflower maggot flies
Strauzia is a genus of fruit flies in the family Tephritidae, first described by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus contains approximately 12 described species, including the economically notable Strauzia longipennis (sunflower maggot), a pest of cultivated sunflower. Some species within the genus exhibit complex patterns of morphological variation and host association that have led to taxonomic instability, with evidence suggesting incipient speciation in certain populations.
Strauzia longipennis
sunflower maggot fly, sunflower maggot
Strauzia longipennis is a large tephritid fruit fly commonly known as the sunflower maggot fly. It is a minor agricultural pest whose larvae mine the stems of sunflowers (Helianthus spp.), causing typically light damage to spongy tissue. Unlike related sunflower-feeding tephritids, its larvae do not attack flower heads or seeds. The species exhibits notable morphological variability and may represent a complex of incipient species or host races.