Uncovering Hidden Diversity: Three New Species of the Keratella Genus (Rotifera, Monogononta, Brachionidae) of High Altitude Water Systems from Central Mexico

Abstract

The correct identification of species is an essential step before any study on biodiversity, ecology or genetics. Keratella is a genus with a predominantly temperate distribution and with several species being endemics or restricted geographically. Its diversity may be underestimated considering the confusing taxonomy of species complexes such as K. cochlearis. In this study, we examined genetic diversity and morphology among some Keratella populations from Mexico in order to determine if these populations represent different species. We analyzed a dataset of previously published and newly generated sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene and the nuclear ITS1 marker. We conducted phylogenetic analyses and applied three methods of species delimitation (ABGD, PTP and GMYC) to identify evolutionary significant units (ESUs) equivalent to species. Morphological analyses were conducted through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and morphometry under a compound microscope. In the present study, three new species Keratella cuitzeiensis sp. nov., Keratella huapanguensis sp. nov., and Keratella albertae sp. nov., are formally described. These species were collected in high-altitude water bodies located in the Central Plateau of Mexico. Combining DNA results through COI and ITS1 molecular markers and morphology it was possible to confirm the identity of the new species.

Freshwater Diversity of Zooplankton from Mexico: Historical Review of Some of the Main Groups

“…Later, García-Morales and Elías-Gutiérrez [166] published the first regional comprehensive list involving rotifer DNA analyses. After this study, the species descriptions included DNA data, thus setting a new standard [167,168]. These are among the few known rotifer species described based on integrative taxonomy worldwide.…”

Metabarcoding: una herramienta prometedora para el estudio de la ecología trófica de peces mexicanos

“…Por ejemplo, en México, la Conabio reconoce 27 cuencas continentales distribuidas en 2 ecoregiones (Neártica y Neotropical) (https://www.biodiversidad.gob. mx/region/ecorregiones-dulceacuícolas) y varios estudios que evalúan la distribución taxonómica y genética de organismos dulceacuícolas han encontrado un gran número de endemismos o linajes evolutivos independientes, restringidos a las cuencas o incluso a cuerpos de agua particulares (Ballesteros-Nova et al, 2019;Beltrán-López et al, 2017Domínguez-Domínguez et al, 2006;García-Morales et al, 2021;Mercado-Salas et al, 2018;Pedraza-Lara et al, 2012).…”

New species of Kuqaia from the Lower Jurassic of Sweden indicates a possible water flea (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) affinity

“…Kuqaia 'shells' are typically 300-500 μm long, placing them in the typical size range of extant rotifers (100-500 μm long). The lorica (external cuticle) of rotifers is composed of scleroproteins, is resistant to acids, and some taxa bear elaborate ornamentation along with anterior and posterior spines and other appendages [40,41]. Acid-resistance confers generally PLOS ONE good preservational potential for those rotifers with a well-developed lorica, and this group has a fairly extensive, though under-appreciated, fossil record [42][43][44][45].…”