Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of the land snail genus Monacha (Gastropoda, Hygromiidae). (26th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Neiber, Marco T.; Hausdorf, Bernhard
• Is Part Of: Zoologica scripta. Volume 46:Number 3(2017)
• Page Start: 308
• Page End: 321
• Publication Date: 2016-09-26
• Subjects: Zoology -- Periodicals; 590.5
• DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-3256

Abstract

Abstract : Monacha is the most species‐rich genus of the family Hygromiidae with a centre of diversity in Anatolia. On the basis of the presence or absence of accessory genital appendages, the group was subdivided into three subgenera, Monacha s. str., Paratheba and Metatheba, in the past. We used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences of a representative sample of species 1) to reconstruct the phylogeny of the major lineages of Monacha, 2) to reconstruct the evolution of the accessory genital appendages, and 3) to reconstruct the biogeography of the group. Our results show that the accessory genital appendages upon which the classification of Monacha into subgenera rested so far, that is the appendicula, which is homologous to the dart sac and/or its accessory sac in other helicoid land snails, and the penis retractor muscle, were lost several times independently in different lineages of Monacha . Even among sister species, these characters were found to be variable. Thus, the typologically defined subgenera are para‐ or polyphyletic assemblages. The reconstruction of the biogeographical history indicated an origin of Monacha in Anatolia and the adjacent Caucasus region which is consistent with the observation that most other genera currently included in the subfamily Monachainae are also endemic to this region. Most major Monacha lineages remained restricted to northern Anatolia. Southern Europe was colonized by Monacha s. str., the Aegean region by Aegaeotheba subgen. n., the Crimean Peninsula by Paratheba and the Levant by Platytheba . On the basis of our phylogenetic analyses and testing of alternative hypotheses, we propose to divide Monacha into eight subgenera. We newly delimit the previously proposed subgenera Monacha s. str., Metatheba, Paratheba and Platytheba, and describe Pontotheba subgen. n., Aegaeotheba subgen. n., Trichotheba subgen. n. and Rhytidotheba subgen. n. as new subgenera.