New integrated evidences reveal male polymorphism and species delimitation in stalk‐eyed fruit flies

Species of stalk‐eyed fruit flies, in the genera Pelmatops Enderlein and Pseudopelmatops Shiraki, have a distinct head structure with eyes located at the ends of stalks, setting them apart from other tephritids. Despite their unique morphology, the intraspecific variation of morphological and behavi...

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Published inZoologica scripta Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 629 - 644
Main Authors Chen, Xiaolin, Huangfu, Ning, Wang, Yong, Zeng, Yu, Chua, Tock H., Zhu, Chaodong
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oslo Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2023
Subjects
Animal morphology
Compound eye
Courtship
Eyestalks
Fruit flies
Fruits
Males
Mating behavior
Morphology
Phylogenetics
Phylogeny
Polymorphism
Reproductive behaviour
Species
Synonymy
Taxonomy
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Summary:Species of stalk‐eyed fruit flies, in the genera Pelmatops Enderlein and Pseudopelmatops Shiraki, have a distinct head structure with eyes located at the ends of stalks, setting them apart from other tephritids. Despite their unique morphology, the intraspecific variation of morphological and behavioural traits in these flies is still not well‐studied, leaving some questions about species definition unresolved. To address this, we conducted a study combining morphological evidence, behavioural studies, and molecular analyses. Our findings revealed male polymorphism in stalk‐eyed fruit flies for the first time, with four morphotypes observed in Pe. fukienensis and three in Pe. ichneumoneus and Ps. angustifasciatus . These morphotypes differ in eyestalk length, wing pattern, and the presence of projections or spikes at the ends of the compound eye. We also propose phylogenetic and phylogeographic implications for the group based on new molecular evidence, along with our observations of courtship and mating behaviours between previously recognized different species. Our study examined four nominal species ( Pe. ichneumoneus and Pe. tangliangi , Ps. angustifasciatus and Ps. continentalis ) and revealed rich evolutionary interactions within this group. Based on the results, we propose the synonymy of Pe. tangliangi Chen with Pe. ichneumoneus (Westwood) and Ps. continentalis Zia & Chen with Ps. angustifasciatus Zia & Chen.
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ISSN:0300-3256
1463-6409
DOI:10.1111/zsc.12624