Molecular analyses reveal the occurrence of three new sympatric lineages of velvet worms (Onychophora: Peripatidae) in the eastern Amazon basin.

ABSTRACT: In the present study, we investigated the possible existence of new lineages of peripatids through comparisons between known Neotropical species and specimens obtained from two locations in Pará, a state in eastern Brazilian Amazonia using a molecular approach based on sequences of the mtDNA genes COI, 16Sr RNA, and 18S RNA. The analyses included also sequences of Asian and African taxa for a more systematic understanding of the phylogenetic relationships within the group. The analysis of the COI, 16S rRNA and 18S RNA sequences permitted the identification of three distinct lineages (A, B and C) based on two different phylogenetic approaches (Bayesian methods and ML). The three lineages presented here are completely distinct from all other peripatid taxa so far defined by molecular data. T

SUBMITTER: Cunha WTR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5409768 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan-Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature