Abstract
Morphologically conserved taxa such as scorpions represent a challenge to delimit. We recently discovered populations of scorpions in the genus Kovarikia Soleglad, Fet & Graham, 2014 on two isolated mountain ranges in southern California. We generated genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism data and used Bayes factors species delimitation to compare alternative species delimitation scenarios which variously placed scorpions from the two localities with geographically adjacent species or into separate lineages. We also estimated a time-calibrated phylogeny of Kovarikia and examined and compared the morphology of preserved specimens from across its distribution. Genetic results strongly support the distinction of two new lineages, which we describe and name here. Morphology among the species of Kovarikia was relatively conserved, despite deep genetic divergences, consistent with recent studies of stenotopic scorpions with limited vagility. Phylogeographic structure discovered in several previously described species also suggests additional cryptic species are probably present in the genus.
Highlights
Species delimitation of morphologically conserved taxa has been a historically challenging endeavor for taxonomists
One sample of K. williamsi from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park contained a high percentage of missing data (>90 %) and was not included in the final single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data assembly
The final data set for species delimitation contained 35 samples and 1,123 unlinked SNPs after sites with missing data were removed by SNAPP
Summary
Species delimitation of morphologically conserved taxa has been a historically challenging endeavor for taxonomists. Recent molecular studies have found that many wide-ranging scorpion species often represent species complexes (e.g., Bryson et al 2013, 2016, Miller et al 2014, Graham et al 2017), with conserved external morphologies often masking more complex evolutionary histories. In these studies, geography was shown to be a better predictor of diversity than the morphological characters used to delineate species
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