The giant cryptic amphipod species of the subterranean genus Niphargus (Crustacea, Amphipoda). (28th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delić, Teo; Švara, Vid; Coleman, Charles Oliver; Trontelj, Peter; Fišer, Cene
• Is Part Of: Zoologica scripta. Volume 46:Number 6(2017)
• Page Start: 740
• Page End: 752
• Publication Date: 2017-05-28
• Subjects: Zoology -- Periodicals; 590.5
• DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-3256

Abstract

Abstract : Amphipods from the genus Niphargus represent an important part of the Western Palearctic subterranean fauna. The genus is morphologically diverse, comprising several distinct ecomorphs bound to microhabitats in the subterranean environment. The most impressive among them are "lake giants, " a series of massive, large‐bodied species. These range from morphologically distinct to morphologically cryptic taxa. We analysed the taxonomic structure of the Niphargus arbiter – Niphargus salonitanus species complex, belonging to "lake giants" from the Dinaric Karst (West Balkans), and assessed their phylogenetic, morphological and ecological diversity. Multilocus phylogeny suggested that the complex is monophyletic and nested within other cave lake ecomorphs. Unilocus and multilocus coalescence species delimitations indicated that the complex totals nine species. These species substantially overlap in morphology and cannot be unambiguously told apart without the use of molecular markers. An analysis of splitting events within a palaeogeological context, and modelling of environmental characteristics on the phylogeny unveiled a complex history of diversification. Part of this diversification might have been influenced by ecological divergence along the altitudinal gradient reaching from the Adriatic coast to inland Dinaric mountain chains and Poljes. Other splits coincide with the marine regression–transgression cycles during Pliocene. We describe Niphargus alpheus sp. n., Niphargus anchialinus sp. n., Niphargus antipodes sp. n., Niphargus arethusa sp. n., Niphargus doli sp. n., Niphargus fjakae sp. n. and Niphargus pincinovae sp. n., and by doing so hope to prompt their further research.