<i>Pseudamnicola exilis</i> (Frauenfeld, 1863) in southern Greece: a remnant of a flock of species (Rissooidea: Hydrobiidae)?

Abstract

The morphology of shell, penis, and female reproductive organs was studied in five populations of Pseudamnicola exilis (Frauenfeld) from southern Peloponnese and Kithira Island (Greece). No interpopulation differences were found in any of the characters. Thirty eight sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear ribosomal 18S RNA genes were analysed. In COI 19 haplotypes, high haplotypy diversity, low nucleotide diversity in each population, and restricted gene flow between populations were found. NCA indicated allopatric fragmentation for all populations, and long-distance colonisation and/or past fragmentation for populations 4 and 5. Mismatch distribution in the most polymorphic population 4 reflected a bottleneck followed by population growth. The values of K2P interpopulation distances, though relatively low, pointed to congeneric distinct species within the Rissooidea. The monophyly of Pseudamnicola/Adrioinsulana clade was confirmed. Most probably the studied populations of Pseudamnicola were part of a flock of vicariant species little differentiated in morphology and ecology, many of which must have disappeared due to human impact.