Updating of systematics and speciation mechanisms of Bacillus (Insecta, Phasmatodea)

Abstract

Following the recent discovery of seven new species, ten specific taxa are now recognized within the genus Bacillus: 1. B. rossius; 2. B. grandii; 3. B. whitei; 4. B. lynceorum; 5. B. atticus; 6. B. diplocarius; 7. B. carius; 8. B. rhodius; 9. B. cyprius; 10. B. creticus. Furthermore, eight subspecies have been defined within B. rossius. The distribution and the ecology of the species are summarized. On the basis of ootaxonomy, karyology, electrophoretic allozyme analysis and vitellin comparisons, the phyletic relationships among taxa within the genus are suggested, with particular emphasis on the natural thely‐tokous hybrids, B. whitei diploid and the triploid B. lynceorum. The main evolutionary mechanisms at work here appear to be: interspecific hybridization, polyploidy, chromosome repatterning and the switch to parthenogenetic reproduction. Gradual genetic differentiation has produced subspecific taxa in B. rossius. © 1989 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.