Phylogenetic assessment of the Metamasius hemipterus

Metamasius is a large genus of dryophthorinae weevils. Among the economically important pests in the genus, M. hemipterus is currently separated in three subspecies. The tenuous generic limits of M. hemipterus subspecies were created over fifty years ago and never tested under a phylogenetic framework. Here we address the M. hemipterus species boundaries applying a molecular approach. We constructed a reduced genome representation of a few species using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq). This systematic reassessment reflects a more natural classification for these remarkable and economically significant weevils.