Cryptic diversity and phylogeography of high alpine Sattleria—a case study combining DNA barcodes and morphology (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

The taxonomy of Sattleria, a genus restricted to European high mountain systems, is critically revised based on morphology, DNA barcodes and phylogeography. Adult morphology combined with sequence information for the barcode region of COI supports the existence of 14 species. The full 658bp fragment of COI was obtained from 43 specimens representing 11 species and three shorter sequences were obtained from another two species. An illustrated key to the male genitalia of all species is provided. Three new species are described: Sattleria karsholti sp. nov. (Alpi Orobie, Adamello and Monte Baldo, Prov. Bergamo, Trento and Verona, Italy), Sattleria cottiella sp. nov. (Cottian Alps, Prov. Cuneo, Italy), and Sattleria graiaeella sp. nov. (Alpi Graie, Prov. Aosta, Italy; Savoie, France). Sattleria basistrigella Huemer, 1997 bona sp., stat. rev. is raised from subspecies rank of Sattleria triglavica Povolný, 1987 to species rank.