Amphiglena mediterranea Leydig, 1851, was the only species in the genus reported in the Mediterranean Sea, for over a century. Recent studies in the Italian coast evidenced there are lineages compatible with the unified species concept hidden under an apparently similar morphological group. In order to determine Amphiglena diversity along the Western Mediterranean and North-East Atlantic, an integrative approach for species delimitation combining genetic, morphological and also geographical data, was implemented. This represents the first integrative study in Amphiglena and the largest genetic study conducted within the genus. The mitochondrial gene cytochrome C oxidase I, of 90 Amphiglena specimens, were analyzed. The genetic approach included phylogenetic analyses and different distance and tree based molecular species delimitation tools. The morphological approach included microscopic techniques. Seven undescribed Amphiglena genetic lineages compatible with the unified species concept were found in this study adding to the other seven species already reported in the Italian coasts and Madeira. Western Mediterranean species showed restricted and, in some cases, sympatric distributions, indicating no genetic flow between taxa regardless proximity. Morphological features overlapped in certain molecular groups and five morphogroups were identified. Amphiglena holds a vast morphological and genetic diversity that has been overlooked over the years.

Primary Presenter: Mariana Strauss, University of the Balearic Island (marianastr86@gmail.com)

Authors:

Mariana Strauss, University of the Balearic Island  (marianastr86@gmail.com)

Maria Capa, University of the Balearic Island  (maria.capa@uib.es)