preprints.org > biology and life sciences > ecology, evolution, behavior and systematics > doi: 10.20944/preprints202307.1551.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 21 July 2023 / Approved: 21 July 2023 / Online: 22 July 2023 (17:10:30 CEST)

Membracis mexicana (Hemiptera: Membracidae) is distributed in four biogeographic provinces of Mexico, field observations indicate that there are different forms of this species but so far it has not been recorded how the different forms are and how they are distributed. The aim of this study was to quantify the phenotypic and genetic variation of M. mexicana and determine if the config-uration of biogeographic provinces impacts the distribution of this variation. To do this we ana-lyzed 307 photographs using 19 landmarks and geometric morphometrics to quantify the pheno-typic variation in helmets. We sequenced five molecular markers for 205 individuals to describe the phylogeographic pattern. As a result, we identified three morphological configurations of the helmet of M. mexicana and two genetic lineages. The morphotypes are 1) large and wide helmet with small dorsal spots, 2) small and narrow helmet with large dorsal spots, and 3) small and narrow helmet with small spots. Genetic lineages are distributed at southeast and western of Mexico. The western lineage corresponds to two helmet morphotypes (1 and 2) and the southeast lineage to morphotype 3. We found that the larger helmets correspond the western lineage and are distributed in Transmexican Volcanic Belt and Pacific lowlands provinces whereas the smallest helmets correspond to the southeast lineage and are present in Veracruzan and Yucatan Peninsula provinces.

Treehopper, Membracidae, Mexico, Biogeographic provinces, Phylogeography

Biology and Life Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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