Molecular and morphometric data demonstrate the presence of cryptic lineages among freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes) from the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorDaniels S.R.
dc.contributor.authorGouws G.
dc.contributor.authorStewart B.A.
dc.contributor.authorCoke M.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T15:58:59Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T15:58:59Z
dc.date.issued2003
dc.description.abstractThe evolutionary importance of cryptic taxa is well documented, yet few studies have examined them with a view to conservation. In the present study, the significance of cryptic speciation in freshwater crabs is examined. Allozyme and 16S rRNA sequence data were used to explore the degree of population differentiation between mountain stream populations of two distinct freshwater crab species. Marked patterns of differentiation were evident among populations; those in close geographical proximity were characterized by the fixation of alternate alleles at certain loci, indicating that currently there is no gene flow among populations. Both allozyme and sequence data provide evidence for the recognition of at least five distinct evolutionary lineages with pronounced levels of genetic differentiation. Morphometric data failed to detect any distinct geographically intermediate population groupings. Our findings indicate the presence of five phylogeographical units, all worthy of conservation, three of which are evolutionarily significant. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationBiological Journal of the Linnean Society
dc.identifier.citation78
dc.identifier.citation1
dc.identifier.issn244066
dc.identifier.other10.1046/j.1095-8312.2003.00143.x
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/10942
dc.subjectallozyme
dc.subjectcrab
dc.subjectdifferentiation
dc.subjectevolution
dc.subjectmorphometry
dc.subjectspeciation (biology)
dc.subjectspecies conservation
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectDecapoda (Crustacea)
dc.subjectPotamonautes
dc.subjectPotamonautidae
dc.titleMolecular and morphometric data demonstrate the presence of cryptic lineages among freshwater crabs (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes) from the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa
dc.typeArticle
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