Bringing the lab to the field: a new lowland Microparmarion semi-slug (Gastropoda: Ariophantidae) described and DNA-barcoded in the forest. (17th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schilthuizen, Menno; Clavera, Anna Pazos; Khoo, Min Sheng; Bondar, Carin A; Elder, Charles H S; Bouma, Aglaia M; Eddington, Taly D; Reisinger, Christian; Cosentino, Emanuela; Rossato, Marzia; Delledonne, Massimo
• Is Part Of: Journal of molluscan studies. Volume 85:Part 1(2019)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2018-11-17
• Subjects: Mollusks -- Periodicals; 594
• DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyy052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-1230

Abstract

Abstract: Cybertaxonomy and portable DNA sequencing now make it possible for citizen scientists to be engaged in the discovery and description of new taxa. We here provide a proof of principle. A new semi-slug, Microparmarion exquadratus n. sp. (Ariophantidae) was discovered during a field course in tropical biology in Borneo for citizen scientists. The new species is the first lowland representative of its genus. It differs from other (high-elevation) Microparmarion species by its size, pigmentation on head and tail, and shape of dart sac and receptaculum. As part of the course programme, the participants prepared a taxonomic description and illustrations, and used the mobile genomic laboratory of the course to obtain DNA barcodes. As far as we are aware, this is the first time a new invertebrate species has been described both morphologically and genetically from the field.