Integrating morphology and DNA barcodes for species delimitation within the species complex Xenylla maritima (Collembola: Hypogastruridae)

Abstract

The species complex Xenylla maritima is examined using morphological and molecular characters. These independent datasets allowed for the identification of species which previously were overlooked and the review of the taxonomic status of nine forms in the maritima species group. Six are here recognized as distinct species and three as synonyms: X. maritima (= X. maritima meridionalis, X. nova-zealandia), X. asiatica comb.n. (= X. maritima asiatica), X. nitida bona species (= X. brevisimilis), X. szeptyckii sp.n., X. pomorskii sp.n. and X. mediterranea.