Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Current issues in molecular biology
2025
|
| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41296401/ |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Table of Contents:
- A New Species of Uschakov, 1955 (Annelida, Polynoidae) from Cold Seeps in the South China Sea: Insights into the Taxonomy and Phylogeny of and Related Genera. Li, Jie Zhang, Linlin Wang, Mingxiao Wu, Xuwen Uschakov, 1955 (Annelida: Polynoidae) is a genus of deep-sea polychaetes characterized by a specialized pharynx bearing two pairs of jaws (with the dorsal pair fused) and three pairs of lateral papillae, the middle pair of which is greatly elongated, and remarkable adaptability to diverse deep-sea habitats. Most species in this genus inhabit abyssal depths (>7200 m), with high diversity in western Pacific trenches, while a few occur in relatively shallow habitats such as deep-sea seamounts and hydrothermal vents. This paper presents a new species, sp. nov., found in deep-sea cold seeps in the South China Sea, representing the shallowest distribution record for the genus to date and the first record from cold seep environments. The classification and phylogeny of and related genera have long been the subject of debate. A previous study suggested that is nested within the clade, but our analyses-based on 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes, , , , rRNA, and sequences-tentatively indicate that these two genera form independent evolutionary clades. Additionally, our phylogeny indicates a close evolutionary relationship between deep-sea and cave-dwelling polynoids (e.g., ), highlighting ecological connections between deep-sea and cave habitats. These conclusions are supported by morphological comparisons and genetic distance analyses. Although the subfamily Macellicephalinae is recovered as a monophyletic group, intergeneric phylogenetic relationships within it remain unresolved, highlighting the need for additional data from more species and genera. We amend the generic diagnosis of and provide an identification key to all valid species in the genus. This study clarifies the taxonomy and phylogeny of and related taxa, emphasizing the importance of continued sampling in understudied deep-sea habitats to enhance our understanding of their biodiversity.