A1 Journal article (refereed)
Integrative phylogenetic, phylogeographic and morphological characterisation of the Unio crassus species complex reveals cryptic diversity with important conservation implications (2024)

Lopes-Lima, M., Geist, J., Egg, S., Beran, L., Bikashvili, A., Van Bocxlaer, B., Bogan, AE., Bolotov, IN., Chelpanovskaya, OA., Douda, K., Fernandes, V., Gomes-dos-Santos, A., Gonçalves, DV., Gürlek, ME., Johnson, NA., Karaouzas, I., Kebapçı, Ü., Kondakov, AV., Kuehn, R., . . . Froufe, E. (2024). Integrative phylogenetic, phylogeographic and morphological characterisation of the Unio crassus species complex reveals cryptic diversity with important conservation implications. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 195, Article 108046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108046

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lopes-Lima, M.; Geist, J.; Egg, S.; Beran, L.; Bikashvili, A.; Van Bocxlaer, B.; Bogan, AE.; Bolotov, IN.; Chelpanovskaya, OA.; Douda, K.; et al.

Journal or series: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

ISSN: 1055-7903

eISSN: 1095-9513

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 05/03/2024

Volume: 195

Article number: 108046

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108046

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94345

Abstract

The global decline of freshwater mussels and their crucial ecological services highlight the need to understand their phylogeny, phylogeography and patterns of genetic diversity to guide conservation efforts. Such knowledge is urgently needed for Unio crassus, a highly imperilled species originally widespread throughout Europe and southwest Asia. Recent studies have resurrected several species from synonymy based on mitochondrial data, revealing U. crassus to be a complex of cryptic species. To address long-standing taxonomic uncertainties hindering effective conservation, we integrate morphometric, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses to examine species diversity within the U. crassus complex across its entire range. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (815 specimens from 182 populations) and, for selected specimens, whole mitogenome sequences and Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) data on ∼600 nuclear loci. Mito-nuclear discordance was detected, consistent with mitochondrial DNA gene flow between some species during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Fossil-calibrated phylogenies based on AHE data support a Mediterranean origin for the U. crassus complex in the Early Miocene. The results of our integrative approach support 12 species in the group: the previously recognised Unio bruguierianus, Unio carneus, Unio crassus, Unio damascensis, Unio ionicus, Unio sesirmensis, and Unio tumidiformis, and the reinstatement of five nominal taxa: Unio desectus stat. rev., Unio gontierii stat. rev., Unio mardinensis stat. rev., Unio nanus stat. rev., and Unio vicarius stat. rev. Morphometric analyses of shell contours reveal important morphospace overlaps among these species, highlighting cryptic, but geographically structured, diversity. The distribution, taxonomy, phylogeography, and conservation of each species are succinctly described.

Keywords: conservation; phylogeography; bivalvia; fresh water

Free keywords: conservation; freshwater mussels; phylogeography; Unionida

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2