Comparisons of two cryptic Ampedus species (Coleoptera: Elateridae) by using classical systematics, ecological niche modeling, and DNA barcoding

The presence of cryptic species is one of the important problems in systematics. To deal with this systematic issue, certain approaches have been utilized. DNA sequencing is one of the common techniques for estimating biodiversity, such as DNA barcoding, which might reveal cryptic species. In this study, we explore how to identify two cryptic saproxylic species using a combination of general and aedeagus morphologies, distributional patterns (in provinces and altitude), specimen abundance, ecological niche modeling (ENM), and mtDNA sequencing data (for the endemic species Ampedus platiai and A. samedovi). The close relationship and validity of these species based on classical systematics was confirmed by the available literature and by Neighbor-Joining (NJ) analysis in Mega Software. Additionally, the DNA barcoding data acquired in this study also confirmed the species status of these species within the genus Ampedus. This also provides insights into classical systematics. ENM's for possible current and future distributional scenarios of endemic A. platiai and A. samedovi are created by Maxent Software. Possible suitable habitats in 2050 and 2070 for the species are calculated according to IPCC5 Climate scenarios. Precipitation seasonality (coefficient of variation) has the highest percentage contribution to the resulting prediction pattern for A. platiai (52.3), the mean temperature of the wettest quarter has the highest percentage contribution to the resulting prediction pattern for A. samedovi (42.7) respectively among used bioclimatic variables in ENM. Depending on the temperature increase in 2050 and 2070, the distributions of A. platiai and A. samedovi could decrease gradually.