Author: Luis  Martell,  Researcher (University of Bergen)

Designation: 

Description:
Siphonophores and hydromedusae are among the most diverse representatives of gelatinous zooplankton, yet they are often neglected in plankton studies due to their fragile nature and difficulties in identification. The Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative has recognized these issues, and has supported the integrative taxonomy projects HYPNO (Hydrozoan Pelagic Diversity of Norway) and NORHYDRO (Norwegian marine benthic Hydrozoa) to evaluate hydromedusa and siphonophore diversity in NE Atlantic and Arctic waters. This has resulted in DNA barcodes for >130 species of hydrozoans (>80% of pelagic hydrozoans in the region), sequenced for both mtCOI and 16S. Several taxonomic incongruences have been identified and are being resolved using an integrative approach combining morphological, ecological and molecular data. Our results suggest that the morphological and genetic diversity of Norwegian hydrozoans is still insufficiently documented. Cryptic species, taxa in need of redefinition, and incompletely known life cycles are common, as illustrated by genera Nanomia, Clytia, Euphysa, Stegopoma and Ptychogena. Families Pandeidae, Laodiceidae and Campanulinidae are particularly challenging in terms of the assessment of species-boundaries and life cycle studies. While metabarcoding and eDNA approaches offer a promising alternative to traditional diversity assessments in the group, challenges remain due to the incompleteness of reference databases and the historical existence of parallel taxonomies for many polyps and medusae resulting from their metagenetic life cycles.

Category: Scientific Program Abstract > Special Sessions > SS32 Name that species: Toward a new global view of species diversity of marine zooplankton