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The monophyletic status of the genus Oreina as well as its phylogenetic relation to the closely related genera Chrysolina, Crosita and Cyrtonus has been debated for several decades. To assess the status of the genus and understand its evolutionary history, we performed a museomics study on 148 museum specimens belonging to 25 of the 28 described Oreina species as well as 19 other chrysomelid species, mainly from the genus Chrysolina. Using innovative molecular methods relying on hyRAD hybridization capture, we succeeded in recovering 2235 shared nuclear loci. Phylogenomic analyses clearly demonstrated that Oreina species form a clade separated from Chrysolina. These analyses also revealed the position of Chrysolina fastuosa outside of the genus Chrysolina, supporting the following taxonomic status updates: Fastastat. rev., Fasta fastuosacomb. nov. Within the genus Oreina, we further propose the synonymization of Oreina (Frigidorina) syn. n. and Oreina (Virgulatorina) syn. n. with Oreina (Chrysochloa). Divergence time and ancestral range estimations suggested that Oreina originated approximately 53 Ma in the Alps. Ancestral host plant reconstruction revealed key shifts during Oreina diversification. Overall, our study reinforces the importance of museum collections for molecular analysis and the effectiveness of hybridization capture approaches for conducting phylogenomic studies and finely investigating controversial taxonomic debates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological specialists constitute relevant case studies for understanding the mechanisms, potential and limitations of evolution. The species-rich and strictly myrmecophagous spiders of the genus Zodarion show diversified defence mechanisms, including myrmecomorphy of different ant species and nocturnality. Through Hybridization Capture Using RAD Probes (hyRAD), a phylogenomic technique designed for sequencing poorly preserved specimens, we reconstructed a phylogeny of Zodarion using 52 (approx. a third of the nominal) species that cover its phylogenetic and distributional diversity. We then estimated the evolution of body size and colour, traits that have diversified noticeably and are linked to defence mechanisms, across the group. Our genomic matrix of 300 loci led to a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis that uncovered two main clades inside Zodarion. Ancestral state estimation revealed the highly dynamic evolution of body size and colour across the group, with multiple transitions and convergences in both traits, which we propose is likely indicative of multiple transitions in ant specialization across the genus. Our study will allow the informed targeted selection of Zodarion taxa of special interest for research into the group's remarkable adaptations to ant specialization. It also exemplifies the utility of hyRAD for phylogenetic studies using museum material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the aim was to resolve the taxonomy of several species of Argyria Hübner (Pyraloidea, Crambinae) with previously unrecognised morphological variation. By analysing the DNA barcode (COI-5P) in numerous specimens, the aim was to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships between species, to provide better evidence for synonymies, and to circumscribe their geographical distribution. Using an innovative DNA hybridisation capture protocol, the DNA barcode of the lectotype of Argyria lacteella (Fabricius, 1794) was partially recovered for comparison with the 229 DNA barcode sequences of Argyria specimens available in the Barcode of Life Datasystems, and this firmly establishes the identity of the species. The same protocol was used for the following type specimens: the Argyria abronalis (Walker, 1859) holo-type, thus confirming the synonymy of this name with A. lacteella, the holotype of A. lusella (Zeller, 1863), syn. rev., the holotype of A. multifacta Dyar, 1914, syn. nov. newly synonymised with A. lacteella, and a specimen of Argyria diplomochalis Dyar, 1913, collected in 1992. In addition, nine specimens of A. lacteella, A. diplomochalis, A. centrifugens Dyar, 1914 and A. gonogramma Dyar, 1915, from North to South America were sampled using classical COI amplification and Sanger sequencing. Argyria gonogramma Dyar, described from Bermuda, is the name to be applied to the more widespread North American species formerly identified as A. lacteella. Following morphological study of its holotype, Argyria vestalis Butler, 1878, syn. nov. is also synonymised with A. lacteella. The name A. pusillalis Hübner, 1818, is considered a nomen dubium associated with A. gonogramma. The adult morphology is diagnosed and illustrated, and distributions are plotted for A. lacteella, A. diplomochalis, A. centrifugens, and A. gonogramma based on slightly more than 800 specimens. For the first time, DNA barcode sequences are provided for the Antillean A. diplomochalis. This work provides a modified, improved protocol for the efficient hybrid capture enrichment of DNA barcodes from 18th and 19th century type specimens in order to solve taxonomic issues in Lepidoptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological specialists constitute relevant case studies for understanding the mechanisms, potential and limitations of evolution. The species-rich and strictly myrmecophagous spiders of the genus Zodarion show diversified defence mechanisms, including myrmecomorphy of different ant species and nocturnality. Through Hybridization Capture Using RAD Probes (hyRAD), a phylogenomic technique designed for sequencing poorly preserved specimens, we reconstructed a phylogeny of Zodarion using 52 (approx. a third of the nominal) species that cover its phylogenetic and distributional diversity. We then estimated the evolution of body size and colour, traits that have diversified noticeably and are linked to defence mechanisms, across the group. Our genomic matrix of 300 loci led to a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis that uncovered two main clades inside Zodarion . Ancestral state estimation revealed the highly dynamic evolution of body size and colour across the group, with multiple transitions and convergences in both traits, which we propose is likely indicative of multiple transitions in ant specialization across the genus. Our study will allow the informed targeted selection of Zodarion taxa of special interest for research into the group's remarkable adaptations to ant specialization. It also exemplifies the utility of hyRAD for phylogenetic studies using museum material.

In this study the aim was to resolve the taxonomy of several species of Argyria Hübner (Pyraloidea, Crambinae) with previously unrecognised morphological variation. By analysing the DNA barcode (COI-5P) in numerous specimens, the aim was to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships between species, to provide better evidence for synonymies, and to circumscribe their geographical distribution. Using an innovative DNA hybridisation capture protocol, the DNA barcode of the lectotype of Argyrialacteella (Fabricius, 1794) was partially recovered for comparison with the 229 DNA barcode sequences of Argyria specimens available in the Barcode of Life Datasystems, and this firmly establishes the identity of the species. The same protocol was used for the following type specimens: the Argyriaabronalis (Walker, 1859) holotype, thus confirming the synonymy of this name with A.lacteella , the holotype of A.lusella (Zeller, 1863), syn. rev. , the holotype of A.multifacta Dyar, 1914, syn. nov. newly synonymised with A.lacteella , and a specimen of Argyriadiplomochalis Dyar, 1913, collected in 1992. In addition, nine specimens of A.lacteella , A.diplomochalis , A.centrifugens Dyar, 1914 and A.gonogramma Dyar, 1915, from North to South America were sampled using classical COI amplification and Sanger sequencing. Argyriagonogramma Dyar, described from Bermuda, is the name to be applied to the more widespread North American species formerly identified as A.lacteella . Following morphological study of its holotype, Argyriavestalis Butler, 1878, syn. nov. is also synonymised with A.lacteella . The name A.pusillalis Hübner, 1818, is considered a nomen dubium associated with A.gonogramma . The adult morphology is diagnosed and illustrated, and distributions are plotted for A.lacteella , A.diplomochalis , A.centrifugens , and A.gonogramma based on slightly more than 800 specimens. For the first time, DNA barcode sequences are provided for the Antillean A.diplomochalis . This work provides a modified, improved protocol for the efficient hybrid capture enrichment of DNA barcodes from 18 th and 19 th century type specimens in order to solve taxonomic issues in Lepidoptera.