Possible speciation with gene flow in tropical cave snails |
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Authors: | M. Schilthuizen A. S. Cabanban M. Haase |
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Affiliation: | Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia;;Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia;;Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland;;National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | In this paper, we present a newly-discovered troglobitic species of the snail genus Georissa from a limestone cave in Borneo. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 16S mitochondrial DNA sequences shows that its ancestor is the local epigean population of Georissa saulae , living in the rainforest directly at the cave entrances. A multivariate analysis of shell characters reveals that the troglobite has diverged morphologically, but is connected to its epigean ancestor by a population of intermediate morphology in the twilight zone of the cave. The molecular data further indicate ongoing gene flow between the epigean population and the troglobite, via the intermediate population. We suggest that the troglobite may have diverged from its ancestor without prior isolation. |
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Keywords: | Gastropoda parapatric speciation caves troglobites mitochondrial DNA conchometry Borneo Sabah 16S principal component analysis |
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