The role of vicariance and dispersal on New Zealand's estuarine biodiversity: the case of Paracorophium (Crustacea: Amphipoda)

摘要: To investigate the role of vicariance and dispersal on New Zealand’s estuarine biodiversity, we examined variability in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences for amphipod genus Paracorophium. Individuals from two nominate endemic species (Paracorophium excavatum Paracorophium lucasi) were collected sites throughout North South Islands. Sequence divergences 12.8% detected among species. However, up to 11.7% also observed between well supported clades, suggesting possibility cryptic Nested clade analyses identified four distinct lineages within both P. lucasi, with boundaries clades corresponding topographical features (e.g. Cook Straight, East Cape). 3.7–4.9% geographic regions east west coasts upper Island). Genetic structure appears represent prolonged isolation allopatric evolutionary processes dating back Upper Miocene continuing through Pliocene early Pleistocene. On basis molecular clock estimates sequence reconstructions geological past, suggest that sea level landmass changes during Pleistocene (2 Mya) resulted previously contiguous populations leading present-day patterns. COI genetic was largely congruent allozyme patterns highlights utility as an appropriate marker phylogeographic studies Zealand fauna. © 2011 The Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2011, 103, 863–874.