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Fuzzy species limits in Mediterranean gorgonians (Cnidaria, Octocorallia): inferences on speciation processes
Author(s) -
Aurelle Didier,
Pivotto Isabelle D.,
Malfant Marine,
Topçu Nur E.,
Masmoudi Mauatassem B.,
Chaoui Lamya,
Kara Hichem M.,
Coelho Márcio A.G.,
Castilho Rita,
Haguenauer Anne
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/zsc.12245
Subject(s) - biology , gene flow , genetic algorithm , sympatric speciation , anemone , ecology , evolutionary biology , phylogenetic tree , octocorallia , sympatry , coalescent theory , species complex , symbiodinium , sea anemone , reproductive isolation , cnidaria , zoology , coral , coelenterata , genetic variation , population , gene , symbiosis , genetics , demography , sociology , bacteria
The study of the interplay between speciation and hybridization is of primary importance in evolutionary biology. Octocorals are ecologically important species whose shallow phylogenetic relationships often remain to be studied. In the Mediterranean Sea, three congeneric octocorals can be observed in sympatry: Eunicella verrucosa, Eunicella cavolini and Eunicella singularis . They display morphological differences and E. singularis hosts photosynthetic Symbiodinium , contrary to the two other species. Two nuclear sequence markers were used to study speciation and gene flow between these species, through network analysis and Approximate Bayesian Computation ( ABC ). Shared sequences indicated the possibility of hybridization or incomplete lineage sorting. According to ABC , a scenario of gene flow through secondary contact was the best model to explain these results. At the intraspecific level, neither geographical nor ecological isolation corresponded to distinct genetic lineages in E. cavolini . These results are discussed in the light of the potential role of ecology and genetic incompatibilities in the persistence of species limits.