Kashani G.M.1*, Mahmoudi A.2, Zangani E.1, Hemmatitabar A.1, Pourlatifi M.1, Khosravi F.1, Moghadam M.1, Kafimola S.1, Bahari A.3 2023. On the possible synonymy of two Protracheoniscus species (Isopoda: Oniscidea): molecular and morphological clues // Arthropoda Selecta. Vol.32. No.3: 315–322 [in English].
1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zanjan, 45371-38791, Zanjan, Iran. * E-mails: gmkashani@gmail.com , kashani_gm@znu.ac.ir
2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Urmia University, 5756151818, P.O.Box 165, Urmia, Iran.
3 Departement of Biotechnology, Research Institute of Modern Biological Techniques, University of Zanjan, 45371-38791, Zanjan, Iran.
doi: 10.15298/arthsel.32.3.07
ABSTRACT. Two morphologically similar terrestrial isopod species, Protracheoniscus nogaicus Demianovitcz, 1932 and P. darevskii Borutzky, 1975, are evaluated for possible conspecifity in term of available molecular data using the protein coding mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) based on the Iranian and Russian material. The two species are clustered in a same clade on phylogenetic trees. Moreover, the K2P genetic distance between these two nominative species (2.2%) placed within intraspecific variation achieved in congeneric species. Low interspecies genetic distance along with the shallow reported morphological variations, criticizing the distinct position of P. darevskii, rather suggested it as a potential synonym of P. nogaicus. However, for a firm taxonomic interpretation, fresh material from topotype of P. nogaicus has to be explored in an integrative manner.
KEY WORDS: molecular markers, morphology, species delimitation, synonym, terrestrial isopods.