Abstract
The river prawnMacrobrachium amazonicumHeller, 1862 occurs in limnic and brackish habitats in northeastern South America, with a broad distribution range and a wide phenotypic variability. Recently, representatives of populations from the Pantanal were reassigned to the newly described speciesM. pantanalenseDos Santos, Hayd & Anger, 2013, according to distinct morphology, life-history, and geographic distribution. Genetic distinctness is in a range that may be recognized as either inter- or intraspecific, which raises the question to what extent genetic distance data alone should be used to determine whether two closely related populations belong to the same or different species. Here, we discuss the case ofM. amazonicumand compare it with other cases of conflicting conclusions from studies on decapod crustaceans, mainly using morphological or genetic criteria. Based on these comparisons, we caution against a too simiplistic view of genetic distance as an exclusive criterion for the definition of “species” vs. “conspecific populations”.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
