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Mitochondrial DNA sequence evidence supporting the recognition of a new North Atlantic Pseudostichopus species (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2004

Francisco A. Solís-Marín
Affiliation:
Coleccion Nacional de Equinodermos, Laboratorio de Sistematica y Ecologia de Equinodermos, Instituto Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Apdo. Post. 70-305, CP. 04510, Mexico City
David S.M. Billett
Affiliation:
Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC), School of Ocean and Earth Sciences (SOES), Empress Dock, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
Joanne Preston
Affiliation:
Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC), School of Ocean and Earth Sciences (SOES), Empress Dock, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
Alex D. Rogers
Affiliation:
British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK

Abstract

A new species of the synallactid sea cucumber genus Pseudostichopus is described, P. aemulatus sp. nov., based on genetic (DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene Cytochrome Oxidase I [COI] gene) and morphological characters. A comparative molecular study with two other species of the same genus (P. villosus and P. mollis) and from a different family (Isostichopus fuscus) was carried out in order to clarify its taxonomic identity. The nucleotide distance between P. aemulatus sp. nov. and P. villosus and P. mollis is sufficient to support distinct species status. The estimated difference in the number of amino acids, coded for by a partially sequenced COI gene, within the species of the family Synallactidae ranged from 4 to 18. The phylogenetic analysis clearly supports separate species status of these sympatric morphotypes, as indicated by the morphological analysis.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2004 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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