10.5061/DRYAD.510TP
Wachter, Gregor A.
University of Innsbruck
Muster, Christoph
University of Greifswald
Arthofer, Wolfgang
University of Innsbruck
Raspotnig, Günther
University of Graz
Föttinger, Petra
University of Graz
Komposch, Christian
University of Innsbruck
Steiner, Florian M.
University of Innsbruck
Schlick-Steiner, Birgit C.
University of Innsbruck
Data from: Taking the discovery approach in integrative taxonomy:
decrypting a complex of narrow-endemic Alpine harvestmen (Opiliones:
Phalangiidae: Megabunus)
Dryad
dataset
2015
Megabunus coelodonta
Megabunus rhinoceros
Development and Evolution
Megabunus bergomas
Megabunus vignai
Megabunus lesserti
Megabunus lentipes
Megabunus armatus
Megabunus cryptobergomas
2015-01-13T16:57:27Z
2015-01-13T16:57:27Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.13077
240920175 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Species delimitation is fundamental for biological studies, yet precise
delimitation is not an easy task, and every involved approach has an
inherent failure rate. Integrative taxonomy, a method that merges multiple
lines of evidence, can profoundly contribute to reliable alpha taxonomy
and shed light on the processes behind speciation. In this study, we
explored and validated species limits in a group of closely related
Megabunus harvestmen (Eupnoi, Phalangiidae) endemic to the European Alps.
Without a priori species hypotheses, we used multiple sources of
inference, including mitochondrial and multilocus nuclear DNA,
morphometrics, and chemistry. The results of these discovery approaches
revealed morphological crypsis and multiple new species within two of the
five hitherto known species. Based on our analyses, we discussed the most
plausible evolutionary scenarios, invoked the most reasonable species
hypotheses, and validated the new species limits. Building upon the
achieved rigour, three new species, M. cryptobergomas Muster &
Wachter sp. nov., M. coelodonta Muster & Steiner sp. nov., and M.
lentipes Muster & Komposch sp. nov., are formally described. In
addition, we provide a dichotomous morphological key to the Megabunus
species of the Alps. Our work demonstrates the suitability of integrative,
discovery-based approaches in combination with validation approaches to
precisely characterise species and enabled us to implement nomenclatural
consequences for this genus.
nuDNA Meg14 fasta fileContains fasta sequences of anonymous locus Meg14
for all individuals used in this studyMeg14.fastanuDNA Meg15 fasta
fileContains fasta sequences of anonymous locus Meg15 for all individuals
used in this studyMeg15.fastanuDNA Meg52 fasta fileContains fasta
sequences of anonymous locus Meg52 for all individuals used in this
studyMeg52.fastanuDNA Meg60 fasta fileContains fasta sequences of
anonymous locus Meg60 for all individuals used in this
studyMeg60.fastanuDNA Meg77 fasta fileContains fasta sequences of
anonymous locus Meg77 for all individuals used in this
studyMeg77.fastanuDNA Meg119 fasta fileContains fasta sequences of
anonymous locus Meg119 for all individuals used in this
studyMeg119.fastaTableS6 - CHC profilesContains a table with individual
cuticular profiles for all individuals used in this
studyTableS6.xlsTableS7 - Morphometric charactersContains a table with
measurements of twelve characters of the legs for all individuals used in
this studyTableS7.xlsDigital_Images_Cephalothorax_dorsal_MegabunusContains
digital images of the cephalothorax in dorsal view for all individuals
used in this study16srRNA fasta fileContains fasta sequences of
mitochondrial 16SrRNA for all individuals used in this study16s.fas
European Alps