Journal Article
Scratching the surface of subterranean biodiversity: molecular analysis reveals a diverse and previously unknown fauna of Parabathynellidae (Crustacea: Bathynellacea) from the Pilbara, Western Australia
Matthews, E.F., Abrams, K.M., Cooper, S.J.B., Huey, J.A., Hillyer, M.J., Humphreys, W.F., Austin, A.D. and Guzik, M.T.
Record Number:
4457
Year:
2019
Journal:
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Abstract:
Like other crustacean families, the Parabathynellidae is a poorly studied subterranean
and aquatic (stygobiontic) group in Australia, with many regions of available habitat
having not yet been surveyed. Here we used a combined approach of molecular species
delimitation methods, applied to mitochondrial and nuclear genetic data, to identify
putative new species from material obtained from remote subterranean habitats in the
Pilbara region of Western Australia. Based on collections from these new localities, we
delineated a minimum of eight and up to 24 putative new species using a consensus from
a range of molecular delineation methods and additional evidence. When we placed our
new putative species into the broader phylogenetic framework of Australian
Parabathynellidae, they grouped with two known genera and also within one new and
distinct Pilbara-only clade. These new species significantly expand the known diversity of
Parabathynellidae in that they represent a 22% increase to the 109 currently recognised
species globally. Our investigations showed that sampling at new localities can yield
extraordinary levels of new species diversity, with the majority of species showing likely
restricted endemic geographical ranges. These findings comprise only a small sample
from a region comprising less than 7% of the Australian continent.
Additional keywords: Subterranean fauna; species delineation; endemism
Times Cited:
3