International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 208-218 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 208 Systematic Review Open Access Systematic Classification of Aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae): An Overview of Current Taxonomic Approaches Xiaoqing Tang Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China Corresponding author: xiaoqing.tang@hitar.org International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.15.0022 Received: 03 Aug., 2024 Accepted: 11 Sep., 2024 Published: 19 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Tang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Tang X.Q., 2024, Systematic classification of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae): an overview of current taxonomic approaches, International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 14(5): 208-218 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.15.0022) Abstract This study provides a comprehensive overview of the systematic classification of aphids (Hemiptera: Aphididae), exploring current taxonomic approaches and their challenges. The rapid adaptive radiation of aphids and gene tree discordance complicate classification, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary methods that integrate morphological and molecular data. The study first reviews the historical development of aphid taxonomy, emphasizing the progress in traditional morphology and microscopy in species identification while noting the limitations of morphological taxonomy, especially the presence of cryptic species and taxonomic ambiguities. Molecular tools, such as DNA barcoding and genomic analyses, play a crucial role in resolving complex phylogenetic relationships and supporting the identification of new species. Ecological data and chemical traits, including host plant specialization and symbiotic associations, are also proven to be valuable taxonomic indicators. Through a case study on the taxonomic revision of the genus Aphis, the necessity of combining morphological and molecular approaches is demonstrated. This study offers new insights into addressing the complexities of aphid taxonomy and promotes more comprehensive species identification and biodiversity research. KeywordsAphid taxonomy; Cryptic species; DNA barcoding; Digital taxonomy; Adaptive radiation 1 Introduction The Aphididae family, comprising approximately 5 200 species, represents a significant lineage of plant-feeding insects predominantly found in temperate regions (Owen and Miller, 2022). Aphids are known for their rapid diversification, which has been influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors, leading to complex morphological variations and taxonomic challenges. The family is divided into several subfamilies, with recent phylogenomic studies identifying three main clades (Ortiz-Rivas and Martínez-Torres, 2010). These insects exhibit a range of life cycles, including both asexual and sexual reproduction, and display notable intraspecific polyphenism. Aphids play a crucial role in both agriculture and ecology. They are major pests of crops, vegetables, and fruit trees, causing significant economic damage through direct feeding and as vectors of plant viruses (Singh and Singh, 2017). Their interactions with host plants are highly specialized, and some species have evolved complex behaviors such as gall formation and sociality (Huang and Qiao, 2014). The ecological impact of aphids extends beyond agriculture, as they influence plant community dynamics and serve as prey for various predators, thus contributing to the broader ecosystem. This study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current taxonomic approaches used in the classification of the Aphididae family. By synthesizing recent molecular and morphological studies, it will clarify the phylogenetic relationships within the family and address the taxonomic inconsistencies that have arisen due to rapid adaptive radiation and gene tree discordance. The study expects to serve as a foundation for future research, facilitating more accurate identification and classification of aphid species, which is essential for effective pest management and ecological studies.
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