Hidden in the mangrove forest: the cryptic intertidal mite Carinozetes mangrovi sp nov (Acari, Oribatida, Selenoribatidae)

作者：Pfingstl Tobias^*; Lienhard Andrea; Jager**acher Baumann Julia

来源：Experimental and Applied Acarology, 2014, 63(4): 481-495.

DOI：10.1007/s10493-014-9802-2

• Bermuda
• Speciation
• Morphometrics
• Cytochrome oxidase I
• Carinozetes bermudensis

The small archipelago of Bermuda is a geologically young landmass in the Western Atlantic Ocean and recently turned out to be inhabited by a number of intertidal oribatid mites. One newly described species, Carinozetes bermudensis, showed an unusual vast range of habitats like sandy beaches, rocky substrate and mangroves. In the present study, 13 Bermudian populations of C. bermudensis were analysed to verify species integrity of specimens from different microhabitats. A morphometric analysis of 17 continuous variables as well as a molecular genetic investigation of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I revealed the existence of a new species Carinozetes mangrovi sp. nov., inhabiting exclusively intertidal algae growing on mangrove roots. Although both species are morphologically nearly identical, the configuration of the genus-specific ventral carinae represents a clear diagnostic character. The high genetic divergence of approximately 12 % of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene sequence between C. bermudensis and C. mangrovi sp. nov. suggests that these two species diverged before the emergence of the Bermuda islands. Accordingly, both of them are older than the geologically young archipelago of Bermuda.

• 出版日期2014-8