Premium
Wide distributions and cryptic diversity within a Microstomum (Platyhelminthes) species complex
Author(s) -
Atherton Sarah,
Jondelius Ulf
Publication year - 2018
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.12290
Subject(s) - biology , species complex , taxonomy (biology) , biological dispersal , genetic diversity , brackish water , zoology , evolutionary biology , ecology , gene , genetics , phylogenetic tree , population , demography , salinity , sociology
Microstomum lineare is a common species of fresh and brackish waters found worldwide. Three genes (18S, CO1 and ITS) were sequenced from specimens of M. lineare collected from four countries, and the levels of cryptic diversity and genetic structuring were assessed. Results showed M. lineare has very wide haplotype distributions suggesting higher than expected dispersal capabilities. In addition, three new species were described on the basis of molecular taxonomy: Microstomum artoisi sp. nov., Microstomum tchaikovskyi sp. nov. and Microstomum zicklerorum sp. nov.