Biogeography and taxonomy of the Hemileuca maia-nevadensis Stretch species complex (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae): insights to the midcontinental populations

Abstract

An integrated assessment of geographic distribution, genetic variation and interpopulation reproductive barriers of the Great Plains and Great Lakes populations of the Hemileuca maia-nevadensis species complex is presented. The taxonomic circumscription of Hemileuca nevadensis Stretch, key to understanding the complex evolutionary history of the group, has previously been misinterpreted. Detailed distribution maps based on historic, literature, and contemporary occurrence records, combined with analysis of genetic variation using mtDNA-COI barcode sequences and pheromone compatibility trials, indicate that Great Plains H. "nevadensis" are disjunct and genetically divergent from nominate H. nevadensis, instead being more closely related to Great Lakes populations. Despite the genomic differentiation of the bog buckmoth established in recent studies, similar or identical mtDNA-COI haplotypes indicate past genetic linkages among now-isolated populations across the northern range periphery of the maia-complex. Based on the current evidence, northern Great Plains Hemileuca latifascia Barnes & McDunnough stat. nov. and eastern Great Lakes (bog buckmoth) Hemileuca menyanthevora Pavulaan stat. nov. (= Hemileuca iroquois Dirig & Cryan syn. nov.) should be considered as species distinct from others in the maia-group. Post-glacial dispersal hypotheses are evaluated in light of molecular variation and ecology, and key knowledge gaps are identified to guide future research.