A mega-cryptic species complex hidden among one of the most common annelids in the North East Atlantic.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 29924805.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0198356 and PMC identifier 6010226.
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Abstract
We investigate mitochondrial (COI, 16S rDNA) and nuclear (ITS2, 28S rDNA) genetic structure of North East Atlantic lineages of Terebellides, a genus of sedentary annelids mainly inhabiting continental shelf and slope sediments. We demonstrate the presence of more than 25 species of which only seven are formally described. Species boundaries are determined with molecular data using a broad range of analytical methods. Many of the new species are common and wide spread, and the majority of the species are found in sympatry with several other species in the complex. Being one of the most regularly encountered annelid taxa in the North East Atlantic, it is more likely to find an undescribed species of Terebellides than a described one.
Medical subject headings
- Cell Nucleus
- DNA, Mitochondrial
- Polychaeta
- Sequence Analysis, DNA