Well-Known, Misidentified, or Unnamed? A DNA Barcode-Based Reassessment of the Lepidoptera Fauna of Cyprus Supported by Morphology

TL;DR

This study uses DNA barcoding to reassess Cyprus's butterfly and moth species, revealing many new and previously misidentified species.

Contribution

The study provides the first DNA barcode-based reassessment of Cyprus's Lepidoptera fauna, identifying numerous new and misidentified species.

Findings

Over 100 newly recorded species and 10 species new to Europe were identified in Cyprus.

More than 10% of previous records were found to be misidentifications.

105 DNA barcodes could not be assigned to known species, suggesting cryptic taxa or unresolved species complexes.

Abstract

Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) are among the most diverse yet most threatened groups of organisms in Europe. They play vital ecological roles as pollinators, decomposers, and an important food source for many species, and are often used as indicators in conservation assessments. In this study, we present the first comprehensive reassessment of the Lepidoptera fauna of Cyprus. Our analysis is supported by DNA barcode data covering approximately half of all recorded species. The discovery of more than 100 newly recorded species, over 100 currently unidentified taxa, and more than 10% misidentifications in the previous literature highlights major gaps in the existing faunal inventory. These findings underline the urgent need for comprehensive DNA barcode reference libraries and continued taxonomic revisions to ensure an accurate understanding of the island’s Lepidoptera diversity.

This study presents the first comprehensive molecular analysis of the Lepidoptera fauna of Cyprus based on DNA barcoding. A total of 1859 DNA barcode sequences were generated, representing 701 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs) and thus putative species. Morphological examination enabled the assignment of 596 BINs to 580 Linnaean species. Based on this genetically validated species inventory—complemented by morphologically examined specimens and a critical review of the literature—a new checklist for the Lepidoptera of Cyprus is provided. In total, 1213 species are accepted as confirmed or considered likely based on published but unverified records. The checklist includes 57 genetically confirmed first records for Cyprus and 62 new records supported solely by morphology. Remarkably, 10 species are recorded as new to Europe: Alloclita deprinsi, Cochylimorpha diana, C. additana, Pammene avetianae, P. nannodes, Cydia alienana, Ephestia abnormalella, Hypsotropa paucipunctella, Dysauxes parvigutta, and Bryophilopsis roederi. In addition, 105 BINs could not be assigned to a species. Preliminary morphological assessment indicates that many of these represent cryptic taxa or belong to taxonomically unresolved species complexes. Furthermore, 35 morphology-based records could be identified at best to the genus level. The study also lists 158 previously published species that are now considered likely misidentifications and therefore excluded from the Cypriot fauna.

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