Evolutionary pattern and process within the Vertigo gouldii (Mollusca: Pulmonata, Pupillidae) group of minute North American land snails.

ABSTRACT: A phylogenetic analysis of 19 sibling taxa in the Vertigo gouldii group was conducted on 73 individuals sampled across North America using DNA sequence data of the mitochondrial genes cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), and the internal transcribed spacer-2 of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (ITS-2) gene. The results of these analyses were found incongruent with previous taxonomic concepts used to define the V. gouldii group and its composite taxa that were based entirely on conchological features. The mtDNA sequence data suggest that some previous members of the traditional V. gouldii group may be more closely related to V. modesta. They also suggest that V. gouldii may itself consist of seven species-level branches spread across two deeply rooted clades. Revision of

SUBMITTER: Nekola JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3056614 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature