Cryptic Species or Inadequate Taxonomy? Implementation of 2D Geometric Morphometrics Based on Integumental Organs as Landmarks for Delimitation and Description of Copepod Taxa.

摘要: Discovery of cryptic species using molecular tools has become common in many animal groups but it is rarely accompanied by morphological revision, creating ongoing problems taxonomy and conservation. In copepods, have been discovered most where fast-evolving markers were employed. this study at Yeelirrie Western Australia we investigate a subterranean complex belonging to the harpacticoid genus Schizopera Sars, 1905, both barcoding mitochondrial COI gene landmark-based two-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Integumental organs (sensilla pores) are used as landmarks for first time any crustacean group. Complete congruence between DNA-based delimitation relative position integumental two independent structures suggests existence three distinct evolutionary units. We describe them new species, employing condensed taxonomic format appropriate species. argue that supposedly might not be if researchers focus on analyzing with multivariate explicitly take into account geometry phenotype. A perceived supremacy methods detecting our view consequence disparity investment unexploited recent advancements morphometrics among taxonomists. Our shows morphometric data alone could find diagnostic traits gives hope anyone studying small animals hard integument or shell, especially opening door assessing fossil diversity rich museum collections. expect simultaneous use geometry-oriented may yield faster formal description Decrypted good example urgency descriptions, they display short-range endemism groundwater calcrete aquifers paleochannel, their conservation threatened proposed mining.