Genetic Determination of a Cryptic Species in the <i>Littoraria</i> Genus With Whole-Genome Molecular Resolution.

ABSTRACT: Recognizing cryptic species is crucial for understanding global biodiversity. The intertidal snail Littoraria flammea is potentially a cryptic species of L. melanostoma widely distributed in the Northwest Pacific. However, the evidence from traditional morphology and single genetic markers is inconsistent. Our study combined quantitative morphological and whole-genome molecular data to clarify the phylogenetic relationship of three species (L. flammea, L. aff. melanostoma, and L. melanostoma). Three-dimensional models of shells revealed significant differences in morphology between L. flammea and L. melanostoma. Neutral SNPs indicated that individuals of L. flammea and L. melanostoma were in different clusters. The ratio

SUBMITTER: Xu JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11631568 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature