Hidden biodiversity in microarthropods (Acari, Oribatida, Eremaeoidea, Caleremaeus).

ABSTRACT: A challenge for taxonomists all over the world and across all taxonomic groups is recognizing and delimiting species, and cryptic species are even more challenging. However, an accurate identification is fundamental for all biological studies from ecology to conversation biology. We used a multidisciplinary approach including genetics as well as morphological and ecological data to assess if an easily recognizable, widely distributed and euryoecious mite taxon represents one and the same species. According to phylogenetic (based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes) and species delimitation analyses, five distinct putative species were detected and supported by high genetic distances. These genetic lineages correlate well with ecological data, and each species could be associated to its own

SUBMITTER: Lienhard A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8632897 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature