Abstract

MOLINA, Carlos I. et al. Associating immatures and adults of aquatic insects using DNA barcoding in high Andean streams. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2017, vol.52, n.2, pp.88-99. ISSN 1605-2528.

We analyzed the feasibility of using DNA-barcoding as a tool to achieve a correct and rapid association between different life stages of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera insects in high Andean streams from La Paz, Bolivia. We focused on this particular environment because the water of streams from the glaciers is becoming scarce, and this could create a risk of local disappearance of these aquatic species. Using cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene sequences, we found high genetic interspecific divergence between specimens from different families and genera (maximum 20%), whereas the intraspecific genetic divergences were lower between specimens of the same species (ranged from 0.1-2%). In this manner, we associate the larval or nymphal instar with their respective adults (female and male), for one species of mayfly (Meridialaris tintinnabula Pescador & Peters, 1987), three species of stoneflies (Anacroneuria vagante Stark & Baumann, 2011, Claudioperla tigrina Klapálek, 1904 and C. ruhieri Gibon & Molina, 2013) and one species of caddisfly (Anomalocosmoecus cf. illiesi Marlier, 1962). We concluded that COI Barcoding can be an effective tool for associating life stages and this tool could speed up the exploring the biodiversity patterns of aquatic insects in the High Andean region.

Keywords : Biodiversity pattern; DNA-barcode; High Andean region; Larval/nymphal-adult association; Taxonomy.

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