engleski

Taxonomic position of Eunapius subterraneus (Porifera, Spongillidae) inferred from molecular data - a revised classification needed?

The freshwater sponge Eunapius subterraneus was described in 1984 on the basis of its morphology and unique ecological features. It inhabits caves in the Ogulin karst area as the only known stygobitic sponge, and an endangered karst species. We used three genetic markers with different evolutionary rates in phylogenetic analyses of E. subterraneus. All of the markers exclude this sponge from the genus Eunapius. Based on our results, we emphasize the need for revision of the taxonomic classification of E. subterraneus as well as the need for a thorough re-evaluation of freshwater sponge systematics.

Porifera ; subterranean ; stygobitic ; Spongillidae ; 18S rDNA ; ITS2 and COI

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