Genetic and morphological differentiation of the Indo-West Pacific intertidal barnacle Chthamalus malayensis.

ABSTRACT: Chthamalus malayensis is a common intertidal acorn barnacle widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific. Analysis of sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I reveals four genetically differentiated clades with almost allopatric distribution in this region. The four clades exhibit morphological differences in arthropodal characters, including the number of conical spines and number of setules of the basal guard setae on the cirri. These characters are, however, highly variable within each clade; such that the absolute range of the number of conical spines and setules overlaps between clades, and therefore, these are not diagnostic characters for taxonomic identification. The geographic distribution of the four clades displays a strong relationship between surface temperatur

SUBMITTER: Tsang LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3417159 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature