DNA Barcoding of <i>Pezotettix giornae</i> (Orthoptera) Collected in Algeria Reveals a New Genetic Lineage (mOTU)

This study reports a molecular analysis of Pezotettix giornae (Orthoptera: Acrididae) based on a specimen collected in Algeria. Using the mitochondrial genome's COI region and applying six complementary species delimitation methods (BIN, ABGD, ASAP, mPTP, bPTP, and GMYC), we compared a total of 27 sequences, including 26 sequences from public databases. The results showed that the Algerian sample had a distinct molecular operational taxonomic unit (mOTU), while confirming the presence of six others, thus indicating a clear genetic structure and suggesting the existence of cryptic diversity within this morphologically homogeneous species.