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Cryptic species from cryptic space: the case of Niphargus fongi sp. n. (Amphipoda, Niphargidae)

2009; Brill; Volume: 82; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Francês

10.1163/156854009x407704

1568-5403

Cene Fišer, Maja Zagmajster,

Leech Biology and Applications

[Niphargus fongi sp. n. (Amphipoda, Niphargidae) is described from a cave in the Dinaric karst of southeastern Slovenia and its morphology is reported in detail. Its occurrence in pools of percolating water, some of which temporarily dry up, and its narrow distribution range suggest that the species lives in limestone fissures, possibly in the epikarst ecotone. Small though distinct diagnostic morphological characters support the species hypothesis based on molecular evidence. Re-evaluation of the degree of morphological differentiation in the light of molecular findings implies that the term cryptic species, at least in some less well-studied taxa, may also depend on taxonomic evaluation of morphologically distinct populations. Additionally, a species described from a poorly sampled habitat constitutes a sample case of where taxonomic as well as ecological influences on biodiversity become apparent. Both incomplete taxonomy as well as insufficient sampling affect estimates of biodiversity in subterranean habitats. Niphargus fongi sp. n. (Amphipoda, Niphargidae) est decrit d'une grotte du karst dinarique de Slovenie sud-orientale et sa morphologie est decrite en detail. Sa presence dans les bassins d'eaux de percolation, dont certains s'assechent temporairement, et son aire de repartition etroite suggerent que l'espece vit dans les fissures du calcaire, et peut-etre dans l'ecotone epikarst. De petits, bien que distincts, caracteres morphologiques diagnostiques supportent l'hypothese d'espece a partir de l'evidence moleculaire. La reevaluation du degre de differenciation morphologique a la lumiere des resultats moleculaires impliquent que le terme cryptique, au moins chez quelques taxons moins bien etudies, peut aussi dependre de l'evaluation taxonomique de populations morphologiquement distinctes. De plus, une espece decrite d'un habitat peu echantillonne constitue un cas dans lequel les influences taxonomiques comme ecologiques sur la biodiversite deviennent apparentes. Une taxonomie incomplete et un echantillonnage insuffisant affectent tous deux les estimations de la biodiversite dans les habitats souterrains., Niphargus fongi sp. n. (Amphipoda, Niphargidae) is described from a cave in the Dinaric karst of southeastern Slovenia and its morphology is reported in detail. Its occurrence in pools of percolating water, some of which temporarily dry up, and its narrow distribution range suggest that the species lives in limestone fissures, possibly in the epikarst ecotone. Small though distinct diagnostic morphological characters support the species hypothesis based on molecular evidence. Re-evaluation of the degree of morphological differentiation in the light of molecular findings implies that the term cryptic species, at least in some less well-studied taxa, may also depend on taxonomic evaluation of morphologically distinct populations. Additionally, a species described from a poorly sampled habitat constitutes a sample case of where taxonomic as well as ecological influences on biodiversity become apparent. Both incomplete taxonomy as well as insufficient sampling affect estimates of biodiversity in subterranean habitats. Niphargus fongi sp. n. (Amphipoda, Niphargidae) est decrit d'une grotte du karst dinarique de Slovenie sud-orientale et sa morphologie est decrite en detail. Sa presence dans les bassins d'eaux de percolation, dont certains s'assechent temporairement, et son aire de repartition etroite suggerent que l'espece vit dans les fissures du calcaire, et peut-etre dans l'ecotone epikarst. De petits, bien que distincts, caracteres morphologiques diagnostiques supportent l'hypothese d'espece a partir de l'evidence moleculaire. La reevaluation du degre de differenciation morphologique a la lumiere des resultats moleculaires impliquent que le terme cryptique, au moins chez quelques taxons moins bien etudies, peut aussi dependre de l'evaluation taxonomique de populations morphologiquement distinctes. De plus, une espece decrite d'un habitat peu echantillonne constitue un cas dans lequel les influences taxonomiques comme ecologiques sur la biodiversite deviennent apparentes. Une taxonomie incomplete et un echantillonnage insuffisant affectent tous deux les estimations de la biodiversite dans les habitats souterrains.]