DNA analysis supports the presence of Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777), Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) and Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879) in Malta : a seasonal and multi-location investigation with additional notes on the central Mediterranean area

Abstract

On the sole basis of morphometric analysis, it was routinely presumed that Pontia daplidice (Linnaeus, 1758), Zizeeria knysna (Trimen, 1862) and Polyommatus icarus (Rottemburg, 1775), occur in Malta. Recent DNA-based investigations (in-part combined with morphometric analysis) on islands and continental landmasses in the central Mediterranean shed light on the phylogeography of these and other, closely related, species. The present contribution focuses on seasonal and multi-location investigations within Malta of the genera Pontia, Zizeeria and Polyommatus. Voucher specimens from Sicily, Lampedusa and Spain are also analysed. A total of 43 specimens, in the following configuration are examined: Pontia (n = 21), Polyommatus (n = 11), Zizeeria (n = 11). DNA results obtained confirm the presence in Malta of Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777), Zizeeria karsandra (Moore, 1865) and Polyommatus celina (Austaut, 1879); conversely, Z. knysna and P. icarus are not reported from within the suite of specimens sequenced, while the presence of P. daplidice is confirmed from Lampedusa and, predictably, from the arid Monegros region in Spain.