Open AccessAtlantic West Ophiothrix spp. in the scope of integrative taxonomy: Confirming the existence of Ophiothrix trindadensis Tommasi, 1970
Author(s) -
Renata Alitto,
A. Cecília Z. Amaral,
Letícia Dias de Oliveira,
Helena Serrano,
Karin Regina Seger,
Pablo Damian Borges Guilherme,
Maikon Di Domênico,
Ana B. Christensen,
Luciana Bolsoni Lourenço,
Marcos Tavares,
Michela Borges
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0210331
Subject(s) - type locality , taxonomy (biology) , biology , zoology , bay , species complex , molecular taxonomy , ecology , evolutionary biology , phylogenetics , phylogenetic tree , geography , gene , archaeology , genetics
We re-describe and confirm the validity of Ophiothrix trindadensis Tommasi, 1970 (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea). This is a native species from Brazil, however it lacked a type series deposited in scientific collections. The recognition of O . trindadensis was made possible using integrative taxonomy applied to many specimens from the type locality (Trindade Island) as well as from different locations along the Brazilian coast (Araçá Bay and Estuarine Complex of Paranaguá). Initially, 835 specimens were studied and divided into four candidate species (CS) inferred from external morphological characters. Afterwards, the CSs were compared using integrative taxonomy based on external morphology, arm microstructures morphology (arm ossicle), morphometry, and molecular studies (fragments of the mitochondrial genes 16S and COI). Analyses indicated CS1 and CS2 as O . trindadensis , and CS3 as O . angulata , both valid species. CS4 remains O . cf. angulata as more data, including their ecology and physiology, are needed to be definitively clarified. Our integrative investigation using specimens from the type locality overcame the lack of type specimens and increased the reliable identification of O . trindadensis and O . angulata .