The taxonomy and phylogeny of Echinometra (Camarodonta: Echinometridae) from the red sea and western Indian Ocean.

ABSTRACT: The number of valid species in the genus Echinometra (Echinodermata, Echinoidea) and their associated identification keys have been debated in the scientific literature for more than 180 years. As the phylogeny and dispersal patterns of these species have been widely used as a prominent model for marine speciation, new insights into their taxonomy have the potential to deepen our understanding of marine speciation processes. In this study we examine Echinometra taxonomy, combining morphology and molecular tools. We present the taxonomy and phylogeny of Red Sea and western Indian Ocean Echinometra. The currently available morphological keys were found to be limited in their ability to delineate all species within this genus. Nonetheless, morphological similarities between the Red Sea and we

SUBMITTER: Bronstein O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3792913 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature