DNA barcoding reveals both cryptic as true circumpolar species in Antarctic Lysianassoidea (Amphipoda)

Recent molecular analyses revealed that several so-called “circum-Antarctic” benthic crustacean species appeared to be complexes of cryptic species with restricted distributions. In this study we used a DNA barcoding approach based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences in order to det...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Havermans, Charlotte, Nagy, Zoltán T., Sonet, Gontran, De Broyer, Claude, Martin, Patrick, Belgian International Polar Year Symposium
Format: Conference Object
Language:English
Published: 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2078/121211
Description
Summary:Recent molecular analyses revealed that several so-called “circum-Antarctic” benthic crustacean species appeared to be complexes of cryptic species with restricted distributions. In this study we used a DNA barcoding approach based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences in order to detect possible cryptic diversity and to test the circumpolarity of some lysianassoid species. In the majority of the studied species, a genetic homogeneity was found even among specimens from remote sampling sites which indicates a possible circum-Antarctic and eurybathic distribution. In four investigated species (Orchomenella (Orchomenopsis) acanthurus, Orchomenella (Orchomenopsis) cavimanus, Orchomenella (O.) franklini and Orchomenella (O.) pinguides), genetically divergent lineages and possible cryptic taxa were revealed. Results might be explained by the different dispersal and gene flow capability of these amphipods as well as by the generally insufficient knowledge on the biodiversity of the fauna of Southern Ocean related to species identification.