Integrative taxonomy allows the identification of synonymous species and the erection of a new genus of Echiniscidae (Tardigrada, Heterotardigrada)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

FILIPE VICENTE (Author) Other; PAULO FONTOURA (Author) FCUP; MICHELE CESARI (Author) Other; LORENA REBECCHI (Author) Other; ROBERTO GUIDETTI (Author) Other; ARTUR SERRANO (Author) Other; ROBERTO BERTOLANI (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Zootaxa

Vol. 3613

Pages: 557-572

ISSN: 1175-5326

Publisher: Magnolia Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 34 Citations

Scopus - 35 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-0GZ

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3613.6.3

Abstract (EN): The taxonomy of tardigrades is challenging as these animals demonstrate a limited number of useful morphological characters, therefore several species descriptions are supported by only minor differences. For example, Echiniscus oihonnae and Echiniscus multispinosus are separated exclusively by the absence or presence of dorsal spines at position Bd. Doubts were raised on the validity of these two species, which were often sampled together. Using an integrative approach, based on genetic and morphological investigations, we studied two new Portuguese populations, and compared these with archived collections. We have determined that the two species must be considered synonymous with Echiniscus oihonnae the senior synonym. Our study showed generally low genetic distances of cox1 gene (with a maximum of 4.1%), with specimens displaying both morphologies sharing the same haplotype, and revealed character Bd to be variable. Additionally, a more detailed morphological and phylogenetic study based on the 18S gene uncovered a new evolutionary line within the Echiniscidae, which justified the erection of Diploechiniscus gen. nov. The new genus is in a sister group relationship with Echiniscus and is, for the moment, composed of a single species.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16