Reef formation versus solitariness in two New Zealand serpulids does not involve cryptic species

Abstract

Tissue from both solitary and aggregated serpulids Galeolaria hystrix and Spirobranchus cariniferus from southern New Zealand was sequenced using 18S, histone H3 and cytochrome b in order to determine whether these differences in ecology and lifestyle reflect the existence of cryptic species. In both cases, all 3 phylogenetic trees unequivocally combined solitary and aggregated individuals into 2 monophyletic groups corresponding to the nominal species. Some combination of larval behaviour, adult attractants and biotic/physical environmental factors are likely to be the drivers of reef formation in these serpulid worms. A previously sequenced Australian specimen of G. hystrix is not in the same clade as the New Zealand samples and requires re-investigation. © Inter-Research 2012.