NextRAD phylogenomics, sanger sequencing and morphological data to establish three new species of New Guinea stream beetles

Abstract

We use molecular phylogenomic as well as morphological data to provide a taxonomic update on New Guinea endemic Philaccolilus diving beetles. In these lotic beetles, we find cryptic diversity that highlights the need for geographically denser sampling combined with the use of an intergrative taxonomic approach to unravel the true diversity and biogeography of these beetles. We describe three new species: P. intaniasp. nov. from the northern Bird’s Head Peninsula, P. kiranasp. nov. from the southern Bird’s Head as well as P. febrinasp. nov. which is more widespread on the Bird’s Head. Philaccolilus ameliae weylandensis is elevated to species rank, as Philaccolilus weylandensisstat. nov.