Pallenopsis patagonica (Hoek, 1881) – a species complex revealed by morphology and DNA barcoding, with description of a new species of Pallenopsis Wilson, 1881. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weis, Andrea; Meyer, Roland; Dietz, Lars; Dömel, Jana S.; Leese, Florian; Melzer, Roland R.
• Is Part Of: Zoological journal of the Linnean Society. Volume 170:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Zoology -- Periodicals; 590
• DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12097
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0024-4082

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <italic>Pallenopsis patagonica</italic> (Hoek, 1881) is one of the most taxonomically problematic and variable pycnogonid species, and is distributed around the southern South American coast, and the Subantarctic and Antarctic areas. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome <italic>c</italic> oxidase subunit I (<italic>COI</italic>) sequences of 47 <italic>Pallenopsis</italic> specimens, including 39 morphologically identified as <italic>P. patagonica</italic>, five <italic>Pallenopsis pilosa</italic> (Hoek, 1881), one <italic>Pallenopsis macneilli</italic> Clark, 1963, one <italic>Pallenopsis buphtalmus</italic> Pushkin, 1993, and one <italic>Pallenopsis latefrontalis</italic> Pushkin, 1993<italic>.</italic> Furthermore, we studied morphological differences between the different <italic>COI</italic> lineages using light and scanning electron microscopy, including also material from Loman's and Hedgpeth's classical collections, as well as Hoek's type material of <italic>P. patagonica</italic> from 1881. The molecular results unambiguously reveal that <italic>P. patagonica</italic> is a complex of several divergent clades, which also includes <italic>P. macneilli</italic>, <italic>P. buphtalmus</italic>, and <italic>P. latefrontalis.</italic> Based on the material available, two major clades could be identified, namely a 'Falkland' clade, to which we assign the nominal <italic>P. patagonica</italic>, and a 'Chilean' clade, which is distinct from the 'Falkland' clade. We describe the 'Chilean' clade as new species, <italic><bold>P</bold></italic><bold><italic>allenopsis yepayekae</italic> sp. nov.</bold> Weis, 2013. All molecular results are confirmed by specific morphological characteristics that are discussed in detail and compared with <italic>Pallenopsis</italic> species closely related to the <italic>P. patagonica</italic> complex. Our results reveal that <italic>P. patagonica</italic> is a species‐rich complex that is in need for a thorough taxonomic revision, using both morphological and genetic approaches. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London</p> </abstract>