Genetic differentiation within two genera of Microcoryphia (Insecta, Apterygota): Promesomachilis and Praemachiloides.

Genetic differentiation within two genera of Microcoryphia (Insecta, Apterygota) was analyzed by means of allozyme electrophoresis. Three populations of Promesomachilis and ten populations of Praemachiloides from central and southern Spain were tested for 18 enzymes loci. Values of genetic variability and genetic distance were obtained from the allele frequencies observed in each locus. Genetic distance and similarity data were used to construct a dendrogram showing phenetic relationships among the thirteen populations studied. The populations of the two genera clustered together but comparative analysis of morphological characters and allozyme data suggested that additional, previously unidentified species, might be present in bot genera.