Hidden diversity in the genus Tethya: comparing molecular and morphological techniques for species identification.

ABSTRACT: Correctly determining species' identity is critical for estimating biodiversity and effectively managing marine populations, but is difficult for species that have few morphological traits or are highly plastic. Sponges are considered a taxonomically difficult group because they lack multiple consistent diagnostic features, which coupled with their common phenotypic plasticity, makes the presence of species complexes likely, but difficult to detect. Here, we investigated the evolutionary relationship of Tethya spp. in central New Zealand using both molecular and morphological techniques to highlight the potential for cryptic speciation in sponges. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on two mitochondrial markers (rnl, COI-ext) and one nuclear marker (18S) revealed three genetic clades, with

SUBMITTER: Shaffer MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6460755 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature