Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirms the species status of electra verticillata (Ellis and Solander, 1786): Species status of electra verticillata

Abstract

Electra verticillata was original described by Ellis and Solander ((1786) The natural history of many curious and uncommon zoophytes collected from various parts of the globe by the late John Ellis, systematically arranged and described by the late D. Solander, London), and since then the species status of this bryozoan has been in dispute. Many bryozoologists considered E. verticillata as one variety of colony morphology of Electra pilosa (Linnaeus 1767). To test the species status of E. verticillata, we analysed DNA sequences from material from the Bay of Douarnenez (near Morgat, France), together with sequences from E. pilosa, E. posidoniae, E. scuticifera, E. indica, and Electra omanensis. Phylogenetic analyses based on fragments of the 18S, 16S and 12S ribosomal RNA genes confirmed the status of E. verticillata as a separate species. We also examined the morphology of specimens of E. pilosa and E. verticillata in various institutions as well as in own collections. This study revealed morphological and ecological differences between these two species and clarified the geographical distribution of E. verticillata.