Genetic and Morphometric Discrimination of Coastal and Inland Tabanus lineola (Diptera: Tabanidae)

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Abstract
A population-genetic study of adult female Tabanus lineola F. from New Jersey and Louisiana determined that the coastal and inland “varieties” T. lineola hinellus Philip and T. lineola lineola F. are reproductively isolated and represent distinct species. Diagnostic differences were found at 4 of 11 gene loci surveyed. Nine individuals were genetically distinct from all other specimens and may represent a third cryptic species. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to produce a taxonomic key for separation of the coastal and inland species based on four easily measured morphological characters. The degree of separation achieved was greater for specimens collected in Louisiana.