Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 5692 No. 1: 11 Sept. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-09-11
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5692.1.6
Page range: 121-147
Abstract views: 59
PDF downloaded: 1

A review of the taxonomy, distribution and population genetic analysis of the Diamesa cinerella group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae), with a description of D. soktoshensis sp. nov. and DNA barcoding of known species

Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity; Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; 100 let Vladivostoku 159; 690022 Vladivostok; Russia
A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Leninskij prosp. 33; 119071 Moscow; Russia
Federal Scientific Center of the East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity; Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences; 100 let Vladivostoku 159; 690022 Vladivostok; Russia
Diptera Chironomidae Diamesinae Diamesa cinerella group taxonomy population genetics mitochondrial DNA ITS

Abstract

We provide original identification keys for adult males, brief redescriptions of the seven known species, a description of a new species, D. soktoshensis sp. nov., and a molecular genetic analysis of species of the Diamesa cinerella group.

Population genetic analysis of Diamesa cinerella group revealed 109 haplotypes for 183 samples and a high level of haplotype diversity—0.984 ± 0.004. We identified four haplogroups, including Diamesa tsutsuii (1), Diamesa lavillei (2), Diamesa. soktoshensis sp. nov. (3) and the remaining species (4). The four haplogroups were significantly different from each other by FST values (P < 0.01). We explored the use of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region as an alternative nuclear DNA barcode for species delimitation of the Diamesa cinerella group. Three haplogroups were identified with no obvious connection to the species or sampling location.

 

References

  1. Ashe, P. & O’Connor, J.P. (2009) A World Catalogue of Chironomidae (Diptera). Part 1. Buchonomyiinae, Chilenomyiinae, Podonominae, Aphroteniinae, Tanypodinae, Usambaromyiinae, Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae and Telmatogetoninae. Irish Biogeographical Society & National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, 445 pp.
  2. Askari, F., Paksa, A., Shahabi, S., Saeedi, S., Sofizadeh, A., Vahedi, M. & Soltani, A. (2024) Population genetic structure and phylogenetic analysis of Anopheles hyrcanus (Diptera: Culicidae) inferred from DNA sequences of nuclear ITS2 and the mitochondrial COI gene in the northern part of Iran. BMC Infectious Diseases, 24 (724), . https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09626-0
  3. Bandelt, H., Forster, P. & Röhl, A. (1999) Median-joining networks for inferring intraspecific phylogenies. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 16 (1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a026036
  4. Bower, J.E., Dowton, M., Cooper, R.D. & Beebe, N.W. (2008) Intraspecific Concerted Evolution of the rDNA ITS1 in Anopheles farauti Sensu Stricto (Diptera: Culicidae) Reveals Recent Patterns of Population Structure. Journal of Molecular Evolution, 67 (4), 397–411. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-008-9161-x
  5. Bursali, F. & Simsek, F.M. (2024) Population Genetics of Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Türkiye. Acta Parasitology, 69 (2), 1157–1171. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-024-00844-9
  6. Dvorak, M., Dittmann, I.L., Pedrini-Martha, V., Hamerlík, L., Bitušík, P., Stuchlik, E., Vondrák, D., Füreder, L. & Lackner, R. (2024) Molecular and morphological characterisation of larvae of the genus Diamesa Meigen, 1835 (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Alpine streams (Ötztal Alps, Austria). PLoS One, 15 (2), e0298367. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0298367
  7. Folmer, O., Black, M., Hoeh, W., Lutz, R. & Vrijenhoek, R. (1994) DNA primers for amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I from diverse metazoan invertebrates. Molecular Marine Biology and Biotechnology, 3, 294–299.
  8. Ghaderi, E., Namayandeh, A., Ibrahimi, H., Mohammadi, H., Karimian, E., Mansouri, A. & Molodi, F. (2024) Two new species of Diamesinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Central Iranian Range and Elburz Mountains (Iran), with new faunistic records for the subfamily. Zootaxa, 5537 (1), 76–94. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5537.1.4
  9. Gistl, J. (1835) Neue Arten von Diptern aus Umgegend von München, benannt und beschrieben von Meigen, aufgefunden von Dr. J. Waltl. Faunus, 2, 66–72.
  10. Gunderina, L.I. & Katokhin, A.V. (2020) Variability of Nucleotide Sequences In The ITS1-5.8s Rrna-ITS2a-2s rRNA-ITS2 region of rRNA gene cluster in species of the family Chironomidae. Russian Journal of Genetics, 56 (8), 916–925. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795420080050
  11. Halvorsen, G.A., Wiliassen, E. & Sæther, O.A. (1982) Chironomidae (Dipt.) from Ekse, Western Norway. Fauna Norvegica: Norwegian Journal of Entomology, Series B, 29, 115–121.
  12. Hansen, D.C. & Cook, E.F. (1976) The systematics and morphology of the Nearctic species of Diamesa Meigen, 1835 (Diptera: Chironomidae). Memoirs of the American Entomological Society, 30, 1–203.
  13. Helleman, P., Schrama, M., Trimbos, K.B., Braks, M.A.H., Schaffner, F., Stroo, A., Wouters, R.M. & Beek, J.G. van der (2025) The ecological niche and population history shape mosquito population genetics on a group of three Caribbean islands. Parasites Vectors, 18, 167. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06801-3
  14. Holmgren, A.E. (1869) Bidrag til kännedomen om Beeren Eilands och Spetsbergens Insekt-fauna. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens handlingar, 18, 1–55.
  15. Kieffer, J.J. (1909) Diagnoses de nouveaux Chironomides d’Allemagne. Bulletin de la Society d’Histoire Naturelle de Metz, 26, 37–56. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.13505
  16. Kieffer, J.J. (1918) Beschreibung neuer, auf Lazarettschiffen des östlichen Kriegsschauplatzes und bei Ignalino in Litauen von Dr. W. Horn gesammelter Chironomiden, mit Uebersichtstabellen einiger Gruppen von paläarktischen Arten (Dipt.). Entomologische Mitteilungen, 7 (1–3, 4–6, 7–9 & 10–12), 35–53, 94–110, 163–170 & 177–188.
  17. Kieffer, J.J. (1924) Chironomides nouveaux ou rares de l’Europe central. Bulletin de la Société d’histoire naturelle de la Moselle, 30, 11–110. https://doi.org/10.3406/bsef.1925.27425
  18. Kieffer, J.J. & Thienemann, A. (1919) Chironomiden, gesammelt von Dr. A. Koch (Münster i. W.) auf den Lofoten, der Bäreninsel und Spitzbergen (Diptera). Chironomiden der Nördlichen Polarregion. Entomologische Mitteilungen, 8, 110–124. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.part.27266
  19. Kownacki, A. & Kownacka, M. (1973) Chironomidae (Diptera) from the Caucasus, Diamesa Waltl group steinboecki. Bulletin de l’Académie Polonaise des Sciences, Cl. II, Série des Sciences Biologiques, 21, 27–37.
  20. Krasheninnikov, A.B. (2009) Chironomids of the genus Diamesa (Diptera, Chironomidae) of mountain rivers of the Middle Urals. In: Animal world of mountain territories. KMK, Moscow, pp. 65–67. [in Russian]
  21. Langton, P.H. & Pinder, L.C.V. (2007) Keys to the adult male Chironomidae of Britain and Ireland. 2 Vols. Freshwater Biological Association, Scientific publication, 64, 1–239 + 1–168.
  22. Langton, P.H. & Visser, H. (2003) Chironomidae exuviae. A key to pupal exuviae of the West Palaearctic Region. World Biodiversity Database. ETI, Amsterdam. [CD-ROM Series]
  23. LaRue, B., Gaudreau, C., Bagre, H.O. & Charpentier, G. (2009) Generalized structure and evolution of ITS1 and ITS2 rDNA in black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 53 (3), 749–757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2009.07.032
  24. Leigh, J.W. & Bryant, D. (2015) PopART: full‐feature software for haplotype network construction. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 6 (9), 1110–1116. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210x.12410
  25. Lencioni, V., Rodriguez-Prieto, A. & Allegrucci, G. (2021) Congruence between molecular and morphological systematics of Alpine non-biting midges (Chironomidae, Diamesinae). Zoologica Scripta, 50 (4), 455–472. https://doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12480
  26. Lencioni, V., Prat, N., Paoli, F., Acosta, R., Rodriguez-Prieto, A. & Allegrucci, G. (2024) Revisiting European and Asian Diamesa species (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae): morphological and molecular insights. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 202 (4), zlae136. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae136
  27. Li, C. & Wilkerson, R.C. (2007) Intragenomic rDNA ITS2 variation in the neotropical Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albitarsis complex (Diptera: Culicidae). Journal of Heredity, 98 (1), 51–59. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esl037
  28. Linevich, A.A. & Makarchenko, E.A. (1989) New or little known species of subfamily Diamesinae (Diptera, Chironomidae) from Baikal Territory. In: Systematics and ecology of river organisms. DVNC AN SSSR, Vladivostok, pp. 20–37. [in Russian]
  29. Makarchenko, E.A. (1977) Some Diamesinae and Orthocladiinae (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the nature reserve “Kedrovaya Pad”. In: Freshwater fauna of Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve. DVNC AN SSSR, Vladivostok, pp. 109–125. [in Russian]
  30. Makarchenko, E.A. (1985) Chironomids of the Soviet Far East. Subfamilies Podonominae, Diamesinae and Prodiamesinae (Diptera, Chironomidae). DVNC AN SSSR Press, Vladivostok, 208 pp. [in Russian]
  31. Makarchenko, E.A. (2006) Subfamily Diamesinae. In: Key to the Insects of Russian Far East. Vol. 6. Diptera and Siphonaptera. Pt. 4. Dal’nauka, Vladivostok, pp. 253–276 + 468–480 + 607–621. [in Russian]
  32. Makarchenko, E.A. (2023) Correction of mistakes. I. New synonyms of two species Diamesa Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae, Diamesinae) from the Russian Far East, with redescription of D. tsutsuii Tokunaga and D. nivoriunda (Fitch). Zootaxa, 5297 (1), 144–150. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5297.1.10
  33. Makarchenko, E.A. & Makarchenko, M.A. (2017) Fauna and distribution of the Podonominae, Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae and Orthocladiinae (Diptera, Chironomidae) of the Russian Far East and bordering territory. In: Vladimir Ya. Levanidov’s Biennial Memorial Meetings. Vol. 7. FSCEATB FEB RAS, Vladivostok, pp. 127–142.
  34. Makarchenko, E.A., Semenchenko, A.A. & Dragan, S.V. (2022a) Review on the fauna and taxonomy of Diamesinae subfamily (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Republic of Khakassia (Russia), with morphological description and DNA barcoding of the discovered species. Euroasian Entomological Journal, 21 (Supplement 1), 73–89. https://doi.org/10.15298/euroasentj.21.Spl.1.08
  35. Makarchenko, E.A., Semenchenko, A.A. & Palatov, D.M. (2022b) Redescription of the Caucasian endemic Diamesa caucasica Kownacki et Kownacka (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae). Zootaxa, 5159 (3), 445–450. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5159.3.9
  36. Makarchenko, E.A., Semenchenko, A.A. & Palatov, D.M. (2022c) Taxonomy of Diamesa steinboecki group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae), with description and DNA barcoding of new species. I. Subgroups steinboecki and longipes. Zootaxa, 5125 (5), 483–512. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5125.5.2
  37. Makarchenko, E.A., Semenchenko, A.A. & Palatov, D.M. (2023) Fauna and taxonomy of Diamesinae (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the Caucasus, with a morphological description and DNA barcoding of new taxa and a discussion of diagnostic problems for Diamesa Meigen and Pseudodiamesa Goetghebuer. Zootaxa, 5271 (2), 313–328. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5271.2.6
  38. Meigen, J.W. (1838) Systematische Beschreibung der bekannten europaeischen zweiflügeligen Insekten. Vol. 7. Gedrukt bei Beaufort Sohn, Aachen Bei Friedrich Wilhelm Forstmann, IV + 401 pp., pls. 55–66.
  39. Mishra, S., Sharma, G., Das, M.K., Pande, V. & Singh, O.P. (2021) Intragenomic sequence variations in the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) ribosomal DNA of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. PLoS One, 16 (6), e0253173. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253173
  40. Mohammadi, H., Ghaderi, E., Ghorbani, F., Mansouri, A. & Namayandeh, A. (2021) Chironomidae (Diptera: Insecta) from Sirwan River watershed of Kurdistan (Iran) with new faunistic records for Iran and range extensions for the Palearctic region. Biologia, 76, 1227–1253. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-020-00635-3
  41. Montagna, M., Mereghetti, V., Lencioni, V. & Rossaro, B. (2016) Integrated Taxonomy and DNA Barcoding of Alpine Midges (Diptera: Chironomidae). PLoS One, 11 (3), e0149673. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0149673
  42. Motoki, M.T., Fonseca, D.M., Miot, E.F., Demari-Silva, B., Thammavong, P., Chonephetsarath, S., Phommavanh, N., Hertz, J.C., Kittayapong, P., Brey, P.T. & Marcombe, S. (2019) Population genetics of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in its native range in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Parasites Vectors, 12, 477. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3740-0
  43. Moubayed, J. & Langton, P.H. (2019) Chaetocladius berythensis sp.n., C. callauensis sp.n., C. guardiolei sp.n. and C. parerai sp.n., four relict species inhabiting glacial springs and streams in Eastern Pyrenees and Lebanon (Diptera: Chironomidae). CHIRONOMUS Journal of Chironomidae Research, 32, 42–59. https://doi.org/10.5324/cjcr.v0i32.3000
  44. Oliver, D.R. (1962) A review of the subfamily Orthocladiinae (Chironomidae, Diptera) of Bear Island. Astarte, 20, 1–19.
  45. Pagast, F. (1947) Systematik und Verbreitung der um die Gattung Diamesa gruppierten Chironomiden. Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 61, 435–596.
  46. Paredes-Esquivel, C., Donnelly, M.J., Harbach, R.E. & Townson, H. (2009) A molecular phylogeny of mosquitoes in the Anopheles barbirostris Subgroup reveals cryptic species: Implications for identification of disease vectors. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 50 (1), 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2008.10.011
  47. Rossaro, B. & Lencioni, V. (2015) A key to larvae of species belonging to the genus Diamesa from Alps and Apennines (Italy). European Journal of Environmental Sciences, 5 (1), 62–79. https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2015.79
  48. Sæther, O.A. (1968) Chironomids of the Finse area, Norway, with special reference to their distribution in a glacier brook. Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 64, 426–483.
  49. Sæther, O.A. (1980) Glossary of chironomid morphology terminology (Diptera, Chironomidae). Entomologica Scandinavica, Supplement 14, 1–51.
  50. Sasa, M. (1989) Chironomidae of Japan: Check list of species recorded, key to males and taxonomic notes. Research Report from the National Institute for Environmental Studies, 125, 1–177.
  51. Schmid, P.E. (1993) A key to the larval Chironomidae and their instars from Austrian Danube region streams and rivers with particular reference to a numerical taxonomic approach. Part I. Diamesinae, Prodiamesinae and Orthocladiinae. Wasser und Abwasser. Supplementband 3/93. Wien–Kaisermühlen Fed. Inst. for Water Quality, Wien, 514 pp.
  52. Semenchenko, A.A., Cranston, P.S. & Makarchenko, E.A. (2024a) A multi-locus phylogeny for the Diamesinae (Chironomidae: Diptera) provides new insights into evolution of an amphitropical clade. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 202 (4), zlae035. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae035
  53. Semenchenko, A.A., Yagodina, V.D., Seliverstov, N.A. & Makarchenko, E.A. (2024b) Morphological redescription and population genetics of Pagastia (Pagastia) orientalis (Tshernovskij, 1949) (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae). Zootaxa, 5555 (1), 57–74. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5555.1.4
  54. Serra-Tosioi, B. (1969) Un Chironomide Pyrénéen a antennes réduites: Diamesa lavillei n. sp. (Diptera). Annales de Limnologie, 5 (2), 163–186. https://doi.org/10.1051/limn/1969010
  55. Serra-Tosioi, B. (1970) Un Chironomide pyrénéen à antennes réduites: Diamesa lavillei n. sp. (Diptera). Annales de Limnologie, 5, 163–186.
  56. Serra-Tosio, B. (1971) Contribution à l’étude taxonomique, phylogénétique, biogéographique et écologique des Diamesini (Diptera, Chironomidae) d’Europe. Vols. I & II. Doct. Thesis, A l’Université Scientifique et Médicale de Grenoble, Grenoble, 463 pp., 184 pls. [Vol. I: pp. 2A–2E + 1–303, Vol. II: pp. 304–462 + [1], pls 1–184]
  57. Shilova, A.I. (1978) A new finding of Diamesa lavillei (Diptera, Chironomidae) in the USSR. Zoologicheskii zhurnal, 57 (1), 142–143. [in Russian]
  58. Stur, E. & Ekrem, T. (2020) The Chironomidae (Diptera) of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Insects, 11 (3), 183. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11030183
  59. Sublette, J.E. (1966) Type specimens of Chironomidae (Diptera) in the U.S. National Museum. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 39, 580–607.
  60. Tokunaga, M. (1936) Chironomidae from Japan (Diptera), VI. Diamesinae. Philippine Journal of Science, 59, 525–552.
  61. Yannic, G., Dubey, S., Hausser, J. & Basset, P. (2010) Additional data for nuclear DNA give new insights into the phylogenetic position of Sorex granarius within the Sorex araneus group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 57, 1062–1071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2010.09.015
  62. Walker, F. (1856) Insecta britannica. Diptera. Vol. 3. Reeve and Benham, London, 352 pp.
  63. Willassen, E. & Serra-Tosio, B. (1988) Description de trois femelles de Diamesa Meigen dont D. cinerella Meigen (lectotype et paralectotype) (Diptera, Chironomidae). Spixiana, Supplement 14, 91–100.
  64. Wülker, W. (1959) Diamesarien-Studien (Diptera, Chironomidae) im Hochschwarzwald. Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 24, 338–360.

How to Cite

Semenchenko, A.A., Palatov, D.M. & Makarchenko, E.A. (2025) A review of the taxonomy, distribution and population genetic analysis of the Diamesa cinerella group (Diptera: Chironomidae: Diamesinae), with a description of D. soktoshensis sp. nov. and DNA barcoding of known species. Zootaxa, 5692 (1), 121–147. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5692.1.6