New light on historical specimens reveals a new species of ladybird (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae): Morphological, museomic, and phylogenetic analyses

Abstract

Natural history collections house an important source of genetic data from yet unexplored biological diversity. Molecular data from museum specimens remain underexploited, which is mainly due to the degradation of DNA from specimens over time. However, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology can now be used to sequence “old” specimens. Indeed, many of these specimens are unique samples of nomenclatural types and can be crucial for resolving systematic or biogeographic scientific questions. Two ladybird beetle specimens from Patagonia corresponding to a new species of the genus Eriopis Mulsant were found in the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN), Paris. Here, we describe Eriopis patagonia Salazar, sp. nov. Total DNA of one of the two specimens was sequenced by NGS using a paired-end Illumina approach. We reconstruct and characterize the mitochondrial genome of this species (16,194 bp). Then, the protein-coding genes (PCGs) and ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) were used to infer by maximum likelihood and Bayesian Inference the phylogenetic position of E. patagonia among 27 representatives of Coccinellidae. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the position of Eriopis as sister group to Cycloneda Crotch. Hence, we highlight the high potential of sequencing technology for extracting molecular information from old specimens, which are used here for the systematic study of a genus, while demonstrating the importance of preserving biological collections.