Molecular systematics, morphological analysis, and hybrid crossing identify a third taxon, Aedes (Halaedes) wardangensis sp.nov., of the Aedes (Halaedes) australis species-group (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

Phylogenetic and morphological analyses, male morphology, and hybrid crossing indicate that a population from Wardang Island, South Australia, is distinct from the monophyletic series of populations of Aedes (Halaedes) australis (Erichson) 1842 from Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, and New Zealand. The name Aedes (Halaedes) wardangensis has been assigned to the new species. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the cytochrome oxidase II and internal transcribed spacer loci support the resurrection of Aedes (Halaedes) ashworthi Edwards, 1921 (Brust and Mahon, 1997). Aedes ashworthi is known only from Western Australia and was found to be infertile when crossed with Ae. wardangensis from South Australia and Ae. australis from New Zealand. The hybrid of Ae. australis from New South Wales × Ae. australis from New Zealand was fertile for three generations, documenting these as conspecific.