| Summary: | Recent molecular analyses revealed that many so-called “circum-Antarctic” benthic crustacean species appeared to be a complex of cryptic species with restricted distributions. In this study, we used DNA barcoding to detect possible cryptic diversity within the amphipod genus Orchomene s. lat. (superfamily Lysianassoidea) and to test the circumpolarity of some species belonging to this group. The analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I sequences indicated, in some species, a genetic homogeneity among specimens from remote sampling sites. Moreover, the eurybathy of some species was confirmed by a very low genetic diversity between specimens originating from shelf and abyssal depths. In other species, DNA barcoding revealed genetically divergent, cryptic taxa, occurring in sympatry. In addition, the DNA barcoding served as a tool for a quick sorting of the sample material into genetic units and enabled us to detect new species within the Orchomene complex. These results were confirmed by further analyses based on 28S rRNA sequences.
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