Molecular and morphological characterization of two aphid genera, Acyrthosiphon and Aulacorthum (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The taxonomic histories of two genera, Acyrthosiphon and Aulacorthum, have been controversial because of the ambiguous morphology used as criteria to distinguish these genera. In this study, molecular and morphological characters were analyzed to determine whether the current classification of these genera is reasonable. Two phylogenetic trees based on five genes (COI, COII, srRNA, lrRNA, and EF1a) supported the distinctiveness of Acyrthosiphon and Aulacorthum, and a canonical discriminant analysis using 19 morphological characters showed that the two genera were separated by five morphological characters (HTB, C, Ant.III, HFM, and SIPH). Based on these results, we confirm that the current classification of Acyrthosiphon and Aulacorthum is supported by molecular and morphological characters.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Two aphid genera, Acyrthosiphon and Aulacorthum ► Molecular analysis using five genes, COI, COII, srRNA, lrRNA, and EF1a ► Morphometric analysis using 19 morphological characters