1Laboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Valorisation of Bioresources (LGBVB), University of Biskra, Algeria
*Email: aicha.medjadba@univ-biskra.dz (corresponding author):
This study reports a molecular analysis of Pezotettix giornae (Orthoptera: Acrididae) based on a specimen collected in Algeria. Using the mitochondrial genome’s COI region and applying six complementary species delimitation methods (BIN, ABGD, ASAP, mPTP, bPTP, and GMYC), we compared a total of 27 sequences, including 26 sequences from public databases. The results showed that the Algerian sample had a distinct molecular operational taxonomic unit (mOTU), while confirming the presence of six others, thus indicating a clear genetic structure and suggesting the existence of cryptic diversity within this morphologically homogeneous species.
Pezotettiginae, grasshoppers, cytochrome c oxidase 1, barcode index number, Bayesian phylogeny, species delimitation, morphological homogeneity, allopatric differentiation, putative subspecies, cryptic diversity, taxonomic status, North Africa
