Cryptic species in tropic sands--interactive 3D anatomy, molecular phylogeny and evolution of meiofaunal Pseudunelidae (Gastropoda, Acochlidia).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Towards realistic estimations of the diversity of marine animals, tiny meiofaunal species usually are underrepresented. Since the biological species concept is hardly applicable on exotic and elusive animals, it is even more important to apply a morphospecies concept on the best level of information possible, using accurate and efficient methodology such as 3D modelling from histological sections. Molecular approaches such as sequence analyses may reveal further, cryptic species. This is the first case study on meiofaunal gastropods to test diversity estimations from traditional taxonomy against results from modern microanatomical methodology and molecular systematics.

Results

The examined meiofaunal Pseudunela specimens from several Indo-Pacific islands cannot be

SUBMITTER: Neusser TP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3166138 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature