A molecular-based identification resource for the arthropods of Finland

To associate specimens identified by molecular characters to other biological knowledge, we need reference sequences annotated by Linnaean taxonomy. In this study, we (1) report the creation of a comprehensive reference library of DNA barcodes for the arthropods of an entire country (Finland), (2) publish this library, and (3) deliver a new identification tool for insects and spiders, as based on this resource. The reference library contains mtDNA COI barcodes for 11,275 (43%) of 26,437 arthropod species known from Finland, including 10,811 (45%) of 23,956 insect species. To quantify the improvement in identification accuracy enabled by the current reference library, we ran 1000 Finnish insect and spider species through the Barcode of Life Data system (BOLD) identification engine. Of these, 91% were correctly assigned to a unique species when compared to the new reference library alone, 85% were correctly identified when compared to BOLD with the new material included, and 75% with the new material excluded. To capitalize on this resource, we used the new reference material to train a probabilistic taxonomic assignment tool, FinPROTAX, scoring high success. For the full-length barcode region, the accuracy of taxonomic assignments at the level of classes, orders, families, subfamilies, tribes, genera, and species reached 99.9%, 99.9%, 99.8%, 99.7%, 99.4%, 96.8%, and 88.5%, respectively. The FinBOL arthropod reference library and FinPROTAX are available through the Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (www.laji.fi) at https://laji.fi/en/theme/protax. Overall, the FinBOL investment represents a massive capacity-transfer from the taxonomic community of Finland to all sectors of society.</p

Unraveling cryptic species diversity in an aposematic sap beetle genus (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Cryptarchinae) from northern Europe

The saproxylic sap beetle Glischrochilus (Glischrochilus) quadripunctatus (Linnaeus, 1758), is associated with subcortical habitats of coniferous trees. This species is widely distributed across Europe and Siberia, and is the best known and largest European nitidulid species. A closely related cryptic species, G. (G.) tremulae sp. nov. has been discovered in a xerothermic area of SE Finland in association with old aspens. The two species exhibit a sympatric occurrence in SE Finland, on their respective host trees. We analyze the COI barcode region to compare G. (G.) quadripunctatus, G. (G.) tremulae sp. nov., and G. (Librodor) hortensis (Fourcroy, 1785). Morphological, ecological, and molecular data confirm the presence in SE Finland of two Glischrochilus s.str. species. We provide a description of the new species. The new Glischrochilus apparently represents a relictual taxon associated with old hollow aspens, and should be considered a species with inherent conservation value within European saproxylic beetle communities