Phylogenetic diversity and conservation of protected click beetles (Campsosternus spp.) in Taiwan: a molecular approach to clarifying species status

摘要

A well-defined conservation unit provides a proper target of protection and abundant information on the following conservation policy. In Taiwan, a protected click beetle named the rainbow sheath click beetle is believed to include two independent species: Campsosternus watanabei and C. yasuakii. To verify their species status and the conservation unit, five Campsosternus spp. were included for reconstructing phylogenetic trees by using molecular approaches (two mitochondrial markers and one nuclear marker), and examining morphological characteristics (e.g. female bursa copulatrix). The molecular data indicate that C. yasuakii should be recognized as synonymous with C. mirabilis. In addition, the anatomical comparison of the female bursa copulatrix, which is vital in genera classification but is often undervalued, suggests the probability of a cryptic genus existing in Campsosternus. Therefore, this study suggests that a taxonomic system solely based on morphology might be unstable, and the robustness of the systematic taxonomy of the family Elateridae can be strengthened using both morphological and molecular tools.