Molecular studies on the genus Muticaria Lindholm, 1925 (Pulmonata, Clausiliidae) from the Maltese Islands
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: The present study has been carried out with focus on Muticaria macrostoma group from the Maltese Islands to characterize and define, from a molecular standpoint, their identity and relationships with topotypical Sicilian Muticaria (i.e.M. syracusana, M. neuteboomi, M. cyclopica and M. brancatoi).Molecular study included amplification of 16S rDNA (ca.300 bp) and COI (ca.700 bp) gene partial sequences which were used for single and combined gene analysis by Bayesian Inference to achieve the phylogenetic reconstructions with the highest posterior probabilities.Obtained results showed that, within M. macrostoma group, the taxa mamotica and oscitans can be elevated to the specific rank, thus bringing to three the Maltese Muticaria species, i.e.M. macrostoma, M. mamotica, and M. oscitans; whereas scalaris may be considered a subspecies, or even a synonim.Present findings confirmed the validity of the Sicilian species M. syracusana, M. neuteboomi, M. cyclopica and M. brancatoi.Furthermore, the populations of the Sicilian and Maltese Muticaria seem to belong to two different levels of differentiation.Finally, we have also examined some Lampedusa populations but the position of this genus still remains to be clarified.In particular, it is confirmed that Lampedusa and Muticaria are different genera, but at present, the relations within the Lampedusa group need further studies to be analysed in details.
Source: BIODIVERSITY JOURNAL
Institution: University of Urbino
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $161
OpenAlex ID: W3012015788