Genetic lineages of Parisotoma notabilis sensu lato (Collembola) in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

Molecular genetic studies of springtails (Сollembola) reveal hidden diversity in many common species. Detailed studies of their distribution and ecology are necessary to clarify the taxonomic status of genetic lineages. This study contributes to the solution of these problems using the widespread polytypic species Parisotoma notabilis (Schäffer, 1896) sensu lato as a model object. The material was collected in 11 locations of Eastern Europe and 10 locations of the Caucasus. Genotyping was performed on a fragment of the CO1 marker gene and additionally on the D3-D5 region of the 28S gene. The phylogenetic tree and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) and PTP analyses allowed to fine 10 lineages, of which 4 were new: L-Crimea, L-Cheget, L-Georgia, and L-Khosta. A lineage recently described from Iran has been found in Azerbaijan. Geographic distribution of lineages has been mapped. In Eastern Europe, the L1, L2, and L4-Hebert lineages are fairly evenly distributed. There are 10 lineages found in the Caucasus: L1 and L4-Hebert are the most common; various locally widespread lineages comprise some probably endemic to this region. In approximately half locations, 2—3 lineages are found together, but 4 lineages are the maximum co-inhabiting ones. Most lineages of P. notabilis s. l. are more or less confined to certain habitats, except the L4-Hebert lineage, which is recorded in most of the studied habitats. The other lineages of springtails living in the same area usually prefer different habitats. We suppose that genetic heterogeneity of P. notabilis s. l. combined with the ecological divergence of the most common lineages may partly explain the biological progress of this species in Eastern Europe.