Unusually low genetic divergence at COI barcode locus between two species of intertidal Thalassaphorura (Collembola: Onychiuridae).

ABSTRACT: Species classification is challenging when taxa display limited morphological differences. In this paper, we combined morphology and DNA barcode data to investigate the complicated taxonomy of two Onychiurid Collembolan species. Thalassaphorura thalassophila and Thalassaphorura debilis are among the most common arthropod species in intertidal ecosystems and are often considered to be synonymous. Based on morphological and barcode analyses of fresh material collected in their type localities, we redescribed and compared the two species. However, their morphological distinctiveness was supported by a molecular divergence much smaller than previously reported at the interspecific level among Collembola. This divergence was even smaller than inter-population divergences recognize

SUBMITTER: Sun X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6011825 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature