Biblioteca genómica de referencia de ADN-código de barras del grupo de especies Neodexiopsis ovata group perteneciente a la familia Muscidae, Diptera, Insecta

Abstract

Arthropod taxonomic identification is hampered by the large number of undescribed species and the difficulty in morphologically distinguishing known taxa. DNA barcoding, using the COI gene, is a key tool for quantifying genetic distances between species. The Barcode of Life Database (BOLD) assigns Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) to clusters of specimens thought to represent species. However, building reference libraries that combine morphological identifications with BINs, verified by specialist taxonomists, remains a challenge. This study focuses on the genus Neodexiopsis (Muscidae: Coenosiinae). Specifically, the Neodexiopsis ovata group was investigated, characterised by distinctive morphological structures in males. The study constructed a molecular reference library for this group using sequences available on BOLD and re-evaluated BIN identifications. Specimens of Neodexiopsis geniculata and Neodexiopsis neoaustralis, both from the N. ovata group, were used alongside control species and outgroup. COI sequence comparisons revealing high similarity with BINs previously assigned as "Muscidae sp." or "Coenosia sp.". Morphological re-evaluation of photographs of these BINs confirmed their belonging to the N. ovata group. Intra- and interspecific molecular distance analyses supported the differentiation between species within the N. ovata group and other Neodexiopsis species. The study also provided a redescription of N. geniculata and N. neoaustralis, updating their geographic distributions and detailing new terminalia structures that could be key for future revisions of the genus. The research underscores the importance of integrating classical morphology with DNA barcoding techniques to improve species identification and our understanding of biodiversity.