Authors: Raquel Xavier Madalena Branco António Múrias dos Santos
Publish Date: 2015/11/06
Volume: 768, Issue: 1, Pages: 315-328
Abstract
The genus Stenosoma comprises 13 species in the NE Atlantic Mediterranean and Black Sea Recent studies have improved knowledge on the distributional patterns of the genus reducing species ranges and allowing the identification of cryptic species Lacking a freeswimming lifestage Stenosoma typically display small to mediumsized ranges with the exception of S nadejda which occurs in the AtlanticMediterranean region In this study we build upon previous work and examine phylogeographic patterns of S nadejda throughout its entire range to assess levels of genetic differentiation and evidence of cryptic species While Elongation Factor 1α gene sequences revealed an almost absence of genetic and geographic structure across the entire distribution of S nadejda the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences revealed a phylogenetic split defining two Mediterranean clades Our results confirm the wide distribution of S nadejda in the Atlantic/Mediterranean region and show that the distribution of the two Mediterranean clades does not match the east–west break in genetic continuity typically displayed by many species This pattern is probably a consequence of sporadic longdistance dispersal by rafting Conversely an almost absence of shared haplotypes at the local level conforms to the recognized poor ability of peracarids for autonomous dispersalThe authors would like to thank D J Harris S Zenboudji M Carretero D Salvi and C Rato for their collaboration during field work C Rato and D J Harris also provided helpful comments on methodology This study was funded by FEDER through COMPETE program Project “Biodiversity Ecology and Global Change” cofinanced by North Portugal Regional Operational Programme 2007/2013 ON2—O Novo Norte under the National Strategic Reference Framework NSRF through the European Regional Development Fund ERDF and FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia funds through the projects FCOMP010124FEDER020733 and PTDC/MAR/118205/2010 RX and MB were financed by postdoctoral grants awarded by FCT SFRH/BPD/75851/2011 and SFRH/BPD/40073/2007 respectively
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