Внутривидовая и межвидовая изменчивость нуклеотидных последовательностей маркеров двух генов (Co-1 и H3) Litorogammarus karadagiensis (Grintsov, 2009) (Amphipoda, Gammaridae) и систематика рода Litorogammarus

Abstract

This study examines the intra- and interspecific variability of nucleotide sequences in the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Co-1) gene and the nuclear histone H3 gene (histone H3) in Litorogammarus karadagiensis. Using the more informative Co-1 gene, the taxonomy of species within the genus Litorogammarus was refined. A comprehensive analysis of genetic distances (p-distances), supported by the ABGD and ASAP software packages, confirmed the utility of Co-1 gene variability for species identification within the genus, while histone H3 gene sequences due to low variability are unsuitable for species identification within the genus Litorogammarus.

Phylogenetic reconstructions and analyses of four obtained gene tree topologies at Co-1 revealed the genetic proximity of L. karadagiensis and L. glareophilus. For both species common morphological features were identified: feathery bristles on the mandibles, first pair of maxillae, maxillipeds, and segments of the first and second pairs of gnathopods. These two species differ from each other in the shape of the basipodite of the fifth pair of pereopods. The combined use of molecular and morphological data int the integrative approach appears promising for species identification and resolving taxonomic issues within the analyzed group of amphipods.

Keywords: mtDNA, nDNA, Co-1, histone H3, p-distances, Litorogammarus karadagiensis, Litorogammarus, Gammaridae, Amphipoda