Интегративная таксономия и эволюционный анализ отдельных видов рода Oscheius Andrássy, 1976

Species of the genus Oscheius have attracted the attention of researchers due to their entomopathogenic character as well as serving as good models for studying development, behaviour, and host-parasite interactions. The main aim of the study was to redescribe an Indian isolate O. tipulae, with morphological and molecular data. Additionally, the study resolved the exact status of the two species, viz., O. siddiqii and O. niazii, described from Pakistan. The relationship of the present isolate with congeners was ascertained by D2-D3 segments of 28S rRNA gene based phylogenetic analysis. A haplotype network was also constructed along with the phylogeography of the taxa to evaluate the degree of divergence among the species and their worldwide distribution. A morphology-based phylogenetic tree was constructed to assess the congruence between morphological and molecular traits. The study revealed similarities between O. siddiqii and O. niazii, both of which are closely related to O. shamimi. However, there was a discrepancy in the lip morphology of O. niazii that requires reconfirmation based on the type specimens.