Molecular Weevil Identification Project: A thoroughly curated barcode release of 1300 Western Palearctic weevil species (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea)

The Molecular Weevil Identification project (MWI) studies the systematics of Western Palearctic weevils (superfamily Curculionoidea) in an integrative taxonomic approach of DNA barcoding, morphology and ecology. This barcode release provides almost 3600 curated CO1 sequences linked to morphological vouchers in about 1300 weevil species. The dataset is presented in statistical distance tables and as a Neighbour-Joining tree. Bayesian Inference trees are computed for the subfamilies Cryptorhynchinae, Apioninae and Ceutorhynchinae. Altogether, 18 unresolved taxonomic issues are discussed. A new barcode primer set is presented. Finally, we establish group-specific genetic distances for many weevil genera to serve as a tool in species delineation. These values are statistically based on distances between good species and their congeners. With this morphologically calibrated approach, we could resolve most alpha-taxonomic questions within the MWI project.

Automated summary

The Molecular Weevil Identification project (MWI) uses an integrative taxonomic approach to study the systematics of Western Palearctic weevils. This barcode release includes curated CO1 sequences linked to morphological vouchers in over 1300 weevil species, providing valuable data for species identification. The project also discusses unresolved taxonomic issues, presents a new barcode primer set, and establishes group-specific genetic distances for weevil genera.