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Cryptic Species Complex (cryptic + species_complex)
Selected AbstractsMOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL DATA IDENTIFY A CRYPTIC SPECIES COMPLEX IN ENDOPHYTIC MEMBERS OF THE GENUS COLEOCHAETE BRÉB. (CHAROPHYTA: COLEOCHAETACEAE),JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 6 2002Matthew T. Cimino The genus Coleochaete Bréb. is a relatively small group of freshwater microscopic green algae with about 15 recognized species. Although Coleochaete has long been considered to be a close relative of embryophytes, a comprehensive study of the genus has not been published since Pringsheim's 1860 monograph. As part of a systematic study of Coleochaete, we investigated four accessions of the genus that are morphologically similar to the endophytic species C. nitellarum Jost. Each of the four cultures was determined to be capable of endophytic growth in Nitella C. A. Agardh, a member of the closely related order Charales. Maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses were performed on nucleotide data from the chloroplast genes atpB and rbcL that were sequenced from 16 members of the Coleochaetales and from other members of the Charophyceae, embryophytes, and outgroup taxa. These analyses indicate that the Coleochaetales are monophyletic and that the endophytic accessions are members of the scutata group of species. In addition, cell size and nucleotide data suggest that at least three different endophytic species may be represented. Herbivory, nutritional benefits, and substrate competition are three hypotheses that could explain the evolution and maintenance of the endophytic habit in Coleochaete. These data also imply that diversity in the genus may be markedly underestimated. [source] Deep genetic divergences among morphologically similar and parapatric Skistodiaptomus (Copepoda: Calanoida: Diaptomidae) challenge the hypothesis of Pleistocene speciationBIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 1 2009RYAN A. THUM We used mitochondrial [cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CO I), cytochrome b, and 16S] and nuclear [internal transcribed spacer (ITS) phylogenies of Skistodiaptomus copepods to test hypotheses of Pleistocene divergence and speciation within the genus. Mitochondrial (mt)DNA sequence divergences do not support hypotheses for Pleistocene speciation and instead suggest much more ancient speciation events in the genus. Skistodiaptomus oregonensis and Skistodiaptomus pygmaeus (i.e. two morphologically similar and parapatric species) exhibited uncorrected mtDNA sequence divergences exceeding 20%. Similarly, we identified three divergent clades of Skistodiaptomus pallidus that exhibited mtDNA sequence divergences exceeding 15%, suggesting that even intraspecific divergence within this morphospecies predates the Pleistocene. We found clear evidence of CO I pseudogenes in S. pygmaeus, but their presence did not lead to significant overestimates of sequence divergences for this gene. Substitution saturation and strong purifying selection have most likely led to underestimates of sequence divergences and divergence times among Skistodiaptomus. The widespread phenomenon of morphological stasis among genetically divergent copepod groups indicates that speciation often occurs with little or no morphological change. Instead, morphological evolution may occur idiosyncratically after speciation and create discordant patterns of morphological similarity, shared ancestry and divergence time. Cryptic species complexes are therefore common in copepods, and morphological species concepts underestimate their true species diversity. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 150,165. [source] Differential tolerance among cryptic species: A potential cause of pollutant-related reductions in genetic diversityENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 9 2004Axayácatl Rocha-Olivares Abstract Differential mortality of cryptic species (i.e., morphologically similar but genetically distinct sibling species) may contribute to observed reductions in genetic diversity at contaminated sites if the members of a complex of cryptic species exhibit differential responses to the contaminants that are present. We conducted toxicity bioassays with both polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon and metal contamination on Cletocamptus fourchensis and C. stimpsoni from two intensively sampled locations. Previous molecular and detailed morphological analyses segregated these as cryptic species from the cosmopolitan C. deitersi. We found that these species occur together at two field sites and that they exhibit unique toxic responses to heavy metals, suggesting differential tolerances at contaminated sites. These findings suggest that reported losses of genetic diversity at contaminated sites may represent a reduction in species diversity rather than a loss of the presumed less-tolerant genotypes within a species. They also suggest that members of a cryptic species complex should not be used in laboratory toxicity tests unless populations are genetically characterized. Future studies using genetic diversity as a marker of contaminant effects should consider the possibility of undetected cryptic species. [source] Phylogenetic relationships within the tropical soft coral genera Sarcophyton and Lobophytum (Anthozoa, Octocorallia)INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Catherine S. McFadden Abstract. The alcyonacean soft coral genera Sarcophyton and Lobophytum are conspicuous, ecologically important members of shallow reef communities throughout the Indo-West Pacific. Study of their ecology is, however, hindered by incomplete knowledge of their taxonomy: most species cannot be identified in the field and the two genera cannot always be distinguished reliably. We used a 735-bp fragment of the octocoral-specific mitochondrial protein-coding gene msh1 to construct a phylogeny for 92 specimens identified to 19 species of Lobophytum and 16 species of Sarcophyton. All phylogenetic methods used recovered a tree with three strongly supported clades. One clade included only morphologically typical Sarcophyton species with a stalk distinct from the polypary, poorly formed club-shaped sclerites in the colony surface, and large spindles in the interior of the stalk. A second clade included only morphologically typical Lobophytum colonies with lobes and ridges on the colony surface, poorly formed clubs in the colony surface, and interior sclerites consisting of oval forms with regular girdles of ornamental warts. The third distinct clade included a mix of Sarcophyton and Lobophytum nominal species with intermediate morphologies. Most of the species in this mixed clade had a polypary that was not distinct from the stalk, and the sclerites in the colony surface were clubs with well-defined heads. Within the Sarcophyton clade, specimens identified as Sarcophyton glaucum belonged to six very distinct genetic sub-clades, suggesting that this morphologically heterogeneous species is actually a cryptic species complex. Our results highlight the need for a complete taxonomic revision of these genera, using molecular data to help confirm species boundaries as well as to guide higher taxonomic decisions. [source] Complex phylogeographic patterns in the freshwater alga Synura provide new insights into ubiquity vs. endemism in microbial eukaryotesMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 19 2010SUNG MIN BOO Abstract The global distribution, abundance, and diversity of microscopic freshwater algae demonstrate an ability to overcome significant barriers such as dry land and oceans by exploiting a range of biotic and abiotic colonization vectors. If these vectors are considered unlimited and colonization occurs in proportion to population size, then globally ubiquitous distributions are predicted to arise. This model contrasts with observations that many freshwater microalgal taxa possess true biogeographies. Here, using a concatenated multigene data set, we study the phylogeography of the freshwater heterokont alga Synura petersenii sensu lato. Our results suggest that this Synura morphotaxon contains both cosmopolitan and regionally endemic cryptic species, co-occurring in some cases, and masked by a common ultrastructural morphology. Phylogenies based on both proteins (seven protein-coding plastid and mitochondrial genes) and DNA (nine genes including ITS and 18S rDNA) reveal pronounced biogeographic delineations within phylotypes of this cryptic species complex while retaining one clade that is globally distributed. Relaxed molecular clock calculations, constrained by fossil records, suggest that the genus Synura is considerably older than currently proposed. The availability of tectonically relevant geological time (107,108 years) has enabled the development of the observed, complex biogeographic patterns. Our comprehensive analysis of freshwater algal biogeography suggests that neither ubiquity nor endemism wholly explains global patterns of microbial eukaryote distribution and that processes of dispersal remain poorly understood. [source] Three sisters in the same dress: cryptic speciation in African odonatesMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 18 2010A. CORDERO-RIVERA The discovery of cryptic species (i.e. two or more distinct but morphologically undistinguishable species) has grown exponentially in the last two decades, due mainly to the increasing availability of DNA sequences. This suggests that hidden in the known species, many of which have been described based solely on morphological information, there might be a high number of species waiting to be discovered. In this issue Damm et al. (2010) use a combination of genetic, morphological and ecological evidence to identify the first cryptic species complex found within dragonflies (insect order Odonata). Their findings add more evidence for the importance of combining information from different disciplines to new species' discovery (DeSalle et al. 2005). [source] Hidden Mediterranean biodiversity: molecular evidence for a cryptic species complex within the reef building vermetid gastropod Dendropoma petraeum (Mollusca: Caenogastropoda)BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 4 2009MARTA CALVO The reef building vermetid gastropod Dendropoma petraeum inhabits the warmest waters of the Mediterranean Sea and is considered a threatened marine species. The aim of this study was to characterize its genetic structure throughout its whole distribution range using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data. Because of its sessile adult lifestyle and lack of a pelagic larval stage, we expected a markedly subdivided population structure with limited levels of gene flow. Fragments of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rRNA (16S), were sequenced, along with the nuclear ribosomal cluster (internal transcribed spacer; ITS) in specimens from 18 localities. Our analyses identified four highly distinct phylogroups separated by a mean divergence of > 14% according to the COI sequence data or > 9% according to 16S, but differing only slightly in morphology. The nuclear data (ITS) indicated a lower substitution rate (divergence among groups of around 1%). These large genetic distances among the four lineages clearly point to the existence of a cryptic species complex within D. petraeum comprising at least four species. Differences in the characteristics of intracapsular larval development and protoconch were also detected among these lineages. The allopatric distribution of these cryptic species supports a predominantly vicariant-based cladogenetic pattern for the genus Dendropoma in the Mediterranean. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 96, 898,912. [source] DNA barcoding of the endemic New Zealand leafroller moth genera, Ctenopseustis and PlanotortrixMOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 3 2009PIA LANGHOFF Abstract Molecular techniques such as DNA barcoding have become popular in assisting species identification especially for cryptic species complexes. We have analysed data from a 468-bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from 200 specimens of 12 species of endemic New Zealand leafroller moths (Tortricidae) from the genera Planotortrix and Ctenopseustis to assess whether the DNA barcoding region can distinguish these species. Among the 200 sequences analysed, 72 haplotypes were recovered, with each genus forming a separate major clade. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic methods were used to test whether species fell into reciprocally monophyletic clades. The optimal phylogeny showed that four species within the genus Ctenopseustis (C. obliquana, C. herana, C. filicis and C. fraterna) and three within Planotortrix (P. octo, P. excessana and P. avicenniae) are polyphyletic. Shimodaira,Hasegawa tests rejected a null hypothesis of monophyly for the species C. obliquana, C. herana, P. octo and P. excessana. Comparisons of within and between species levels of sequence divergence for the same set of seven species showed cases where maximum levels of within-species divergence were greater than some levels of between-species divergence. DNA barcoding using this region of the COI gene is able to distinguish the two genera and some species within each genus; however, many species cannot be identified using this method. Finally, we discuss the possible reasons for this polyphyly, including incomplete lineage sorting, introgression, horizontal gene transfer and incorrect taxonomy. [source] Vouchering DNA-barcoded specimens: test of a nondestructive extraction protocol for terrestrial arthropodsMOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 6 2007DANIEL L. ROWLEY Abstract Morphology-based keys support accurate identification of many taxa. However, identification can be difficult for taxa that are either not well studied, very small, members of cryptic species complexes, or represented by immature stages. For such cases, DNA barcodes may provide diagnostic characters. Ecologists and evolutionary biologists deposit museum vouchers to document the species studied in their research. If DNA barcodes are to be used for identification, then both the DNA and the specimen from which it was extracted should be vouchered. We describe a protocol for the nondestructive extraction of DNA from terrestrial arthropods, using as examples members of the orders Acarina, Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Hymenoptera chosen to represent the ranges in size, overall sclerotization, and delicacy of key morphological characters in the group. We successfully extracted sequenceable DNA from all species after 1,4 h of immersion in extraction buffer. The extracted carcasses, processed and imaged using protocols standard for the taxon, were distinguishable from closely related species, and adequate as morphological vouchers. We provide links from the carcasses and DNA vouchers to image (MorphBank) and sequence (GenBank) databases. [source] | ||||||||||