Don't you expect a new species? I am just collected various Toxorhynchites on W New Guinea

Hi Dmitry,

there had been previous studies in the locality stating the two are present. However, they were 60 years ago. my highest hit in GenBank was 97% for splendens. I am guessing there is a species complex present. I have difficulty with the general morphology. I have tried dissecting the genitalia, but comparisons with that of other lits are about the same. How much variation would it take to say it's a new species or subspecies? thanks a lot

My first question is where are you collecting because that could play a pretty good role in answering this.

Sometimes the light can really alter the color of the tufts.  They might really be "black" but appear more brown.  I've run into this with plenty of other species.

I have a contact at the Smithsonian that might be able to help you send me a message.

Here are some other options you could take.

Do the larvae or pupal skins exist?  If so you might try to slide mount these and see if there are good morphological characters.

also It depends on the genes you are using.  Some genes are quite variable and others like COI are not and 97% similarity might be a valid new species.

The overall cost of full genome sequences is pretty cheap these days.  You could just sequence that but the big cost is time in assembly.

Hi Will! 

sending you a message. 

I'm collecting from the Philippines. The records haven't been updated for a very long time.

Yes I'm using COI for the sequencing. I'll try to look more into the larval and pupal descriptions however, I haven't stumbled upon a real comparison with the two species yet. 

Thank you for the comment!