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We analyzed the Folmer fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene of three closely related species of Semudobia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae): S. betulae (Winnertz), S. tarda Roskam, and S. skuhravae Roskam. These species form fruit galls on different birch species (Betula, Betulaceae) in the Holarctic Region. In Japan, larvae of S. betulae and S. tarda were collected from the native Japanese birch, B. platyphylla, whereas S. skuhravae was collected from the eastern Palearctic birch, B. ermanii. In the Netherlands, the three species were collected from intermediate forms between the Eurasian endemic birches, B. pendula and B. pubescens. Additional sequences of Canadian and European S. betulae and S. skuhravae were obtained from the Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD). In a maximum likelihood analysis, the individuals of each species formed strongly supported clades, but genetic divergence was high within each clade indicating species complexes. European and Canadian individuals of S. betulae and S. skuhravae each formed a single clade with low intraspecific variation, suggesting that these species were introduced together with their hosts to North America. In contrast, Japanese individuals of the three Semudobia species were remarkably distant from European and Canadian individuals, indicating that they have been isolated genetically for a long period on their native eastern Palearctic and Japanese hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grey voles (subgenus Microtus), widespread in Eurasia, may be important pests and could cause serious damage to agricultural grain fields. In Bulgaria two morphologically similar species are present (Microtus arvalis Pallas, 1778 and M. rossiaemeridionalis Ognev 1924), which are impossible to identify in the field. Despite their importance as pests, very little is known about their current status and distribution. Here we cotributed new data - based on karyological examination of 27 individuals of voles. We summarized all available information on the distribution of the voles - 20 published and 11 unpublished locations. Both species co-occurred together in north Bulgaria; in Thrace and the SE only M. rossiaemeridionalis is distributed. Microtus rossiaemeridionalis seems to occupy lower elevations, while in the mountain areas (above 1000 m) only M. arvalis is found, which corresponds well with the data from neighboring countries. The taxonomy of both species in Bulgaria is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]