A New Species in Notobitiella Hsiao in China Confirmed by Morphological and Molecular Data (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae).

Abstract

Simple SummaryPlenty of new species are published every year, but what if a new species could be erected as a new genus by the morphological characteristics of genitalia or a new species of an existing genus by the other morphological characteristics? Recently, we collected a new species of Coreidae facing this problem. The characteristics of genitalia between the new and existing species in Notobitiella (monotypic genus) were too different to compare with the difference among interspecies in tribe Cloresmini. It was reasonable to erect a new genus for this new species. However, considering the similarity between other characteristics, we decided to refer to the results of molecular data. Results showed that the genetic distance within the interspecific interval of the genus and the sister group relationship also supported that the new species should be included in the genus Notobitiella. Finally, a new species was confirmed, named Notobitiella bispina sp. nov. Our research highlighted how molecular data can be used to assist in species delimitation when encountering similar problems.To date, only one species of genus Notobitiella, N. elegans Hsiao, was found in Yunnan, China. Recently, we confirmed a new species, Notobitiella bispina sp. nov., by morphological and molecular data based on new specimens collected from Yunnan, China. The new species is morphologically similar to N. elegans except for the male genitalia and the sternum of the seventh abdominal segment of the female. The extraordinary difference of the genitalia between these two species inspired us to erect a new genus for this new species. However, considering their sister group relationship to other genera in tribe Cloresmini and the 12.56~12.64% genetic distance (meeting the interspecific genetic distance within genus of tribe Cloresmini) by a complete COI gene, this species was more reasonable as a new species of the genus Notobitiella, and the diagnosis of the genus was revised. The photos of the body and critical morphological characteristics for both male and female were provided for accurate identification.