Synaptus iranicus sp. nov., a second species of the genus Synaptus Eschscholtz, 1829 from Iran (Coleoptera: Elateridae) discovered by an integrative approach

Abstract

Synaptus filiformis Fabricius, 1781 has been recognized as a rather variable elaterid species. Based on morphological distinctness of 3 specimens (2 males, 1 female) from Mazandaran, Iran, a new species is here hypothesised. COI barcoding supports the new species as a new Barcode Index Number with a distance of mean 13.5% to the three other BINs available on the Barcode of Life Database. The new species Synaptus iranicus sp. nov. (BOLD: ACZ9929) and its distinctive features are described. Moreover the results of the DNA barcoding suggest that Synaptus filiformis as yet described is not a single species, but rather a complex of several morphologically similar species.