New lineages and old species: Lineage diversity and regional distribution of Moina (Crustacea: Cladocera) in China

Abstract

The distribution and genetic diversity of freshwater zooplankton is understudied in the Eastern Palearctic. Here, we explored the lineage diversity and regional distribution of the genus Moina in China. Members of this genus are often keystone components of freshwater ecosystems and have been frequently subjected to toxicological and physiological studies. Four species of Moina were identified, based on morphology, in 50 of 113 Chinese water bodies examined, and their phylogenetic position was analyzed using both a mitochondrial (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; COI) and a nuclear marker (the nuclear internal transcribed spacer; ITS-1). Both molecular markers identified four clades corresponding broadly to the morphological species. Mitochondrial DNA analysis showed the presence of four species complexes with eleven lineages across China, five of which were new. However, some lineages (and even individual haplotypes) were widespread in Eurasia, suggesting an ability to disperse over long distances. In contrast, a few lineages exhibited restricted distributions. The nuclear phylogeny also recognized four species of Moina within China and seven very distinct clades. Interestingly, one specimen possessing Moina cf. micrura mtDNA had ITS-1 alleles of the M. cf. brachiata clade. This discordance between mtDNA and nuclear ITS-1 phylogenies is indicative of interspecific introgression and hybridization. Additionally, our COI phylogeny showed apparent paraphyly in two Moina species groups, suggesting introgression of their mitochondrial genomes. Our data shows the regional distribution/diversity of the Moina species complex in a Eurasian context.