Integrative approach clarifies the distinct taxonomic account of gryloblattids endemic to Hokkaido, Japan, with a description of two new species (Insecta, Grylloblattodea)

Abstract

Galloisiana yezoensis Asahina, 1961 was described on the basis of female specimens from the Ishikari Mountains, Hokkaido, Japan, and has been known as the only species of Grylloblattidae in Hokkaido. In preliminary research, several species closely related to G. yezoensis were collected from various sites in Hokkaido. In the present study, the taxonomic status of G. yezoensis and its relatives was reexamined through molecular and morphological analyses approaches. As a result, the phylogenetic tree of the COII region, and mitochondrial DNA, suggest that G. yezoensis and its relatives form a unique clade distinct from the Galloisiana clade. We therefore establish a new genus, Arctigalloisiana gen. nov., with two new species, A. poropnetopa sp. nov. and A. yubariensis sp. nov. The type species is Arctigalloisiana yezoensis comb. nov., and its male is described here for the first time.