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Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis
BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY
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| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
| Published: |
2021
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| _version_ | 1869484217430179840 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Barnes, Aaron |
| author2 | Daniels, Savel R. |
| author_browse | Barnes, Aaron Daniels, Savel R. |
| author_facet | Daniels, Savel R. Barnes, Aaron |
| author_sort | Barnes, Aaron |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/110459 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:11:23.089Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publishDateRange | 2021 |
| publishDateSort | 2021 |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/110459 Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis Barnes, Aaron Daniels, Savel R. BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY species boundaries; velvet worm; Tulbagh; Western Cape BOTANY AND ZOOLOGY In the present study species boundaries in two velvet worm complexes (Peripatopsis clavigera and Peripatopsis sedgwicki) were investigated with the use of DNA sequence data, morphology, scanning electron microscopy and a variety of species delimitation methods. In addition, the conservation status, biogeography, and evolutionary relationships within the genus Peripatopsis were assessed using a revised phylogeny. Two partial gene fragments were selected throughout the study; these included the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase I subunit and the 18S rRNA nuclear locus. A total of 115 specimens were collected across 15 sample sites from the known distribution of P. clavigera in the Western Cape, additionally, a phylogenetically related lineage from Tulbagh was included comprising seven specimens. Phylogenetic analyses retrieved five statistically well-supported clades for the P. clavigera species complex and indicated that the specimens from Tulbagh were distantly related and represented a sixth clade. Putative lineages were reinforced to varying degrees by four species delimitation methods (ABGD, PTP, GMYC and STACEY) retrieving four novel species within the species complex. Gross morphological data (such as leg pair number and colour) together with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided limited diagnostic differences between clades. An investigation of historical biogeography was indicative of how climatic cycling during the early Pliocene effected fine-scale cladogenesis in the absence of obvious barriers to gene flow. Five narrow-range, novel species were described. To discern species boundaries in the P. sedgwicki species complex, a total of 124 specimens were collected across 24 sample sites in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. An additional closely related undescribed species from Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve was also included. Phylogenetic results retrieved four statistically well-supported clades for the P. sedgwicki species complex while the Fort Fordyce specimens represented a fifth, distantly related clade. Geographic exclusivity was exhibited between distributions with cladogenesis occurring during the Plio/Pleistocene, likely driven by climatic ameliorations. The Fort Fordyce specimens received support from all five species delimitation methods implemented (ABGD, PTP, GMYC, STACEY and iBPP) with a variable number of operational taxonomic units ranging from five to four putative lineages retrieved for the main species complex. Morphological characters were of limited utility; however, diagnostic characters were detected for the specimens from Fort Fordyce and Van Stadens nature reserves. The total evidence dataset supported the presence of two novel species within the main species complex and supported the Fort Fordyce specimens as a third novel species, all of which were described and a neotype was designated for P. sedgwicki. A revised phylogenetic analysis was conducted for Peripatopsis to understand the placement of novel diversity. The genus was retrieved as monophyletic, comprising two major clades. Divergence time estimates suggested that Peripatopsis experienced cladogenesis from the early Miocene whereas ancestral state reconstructions suggested the Syntaxis Cape Fold Mountain sub geomorphic province to be the area of origin. The phylogenetic results suggested that cladogenic patterning was driven predominantly by climatic ameliorations, impacting the Afrotemperate forest habitat of these velvet worms. The conservation status of all extant Peripatopsis species were assessed using the IUCN Red Listing criteria. Spatially explicit evolutionary patterns were attained by four phylogenetic diversity metrics (PD, PE, PSV and ED) and species richness was included for comparison. The latter results highlighted the Cape Peninsula, the south western Cape Fold Mountains and the southern Cape regions as areas of rich evolutionary history and of potential high evolutionary potential. These forested areas are recommended for conservation prioritization. Masters - MSc 2021-05-14T06:49:58Z 2021-05-14T06:49:58Z 2021-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/110459 en_ZA application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | species boundaries; velvet worm; Tulbagh; Western Cape Barnes, Aaron Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis |
| title | Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis |
| title_full | Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis |
| title_fullStr | Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis |
| title_short | Systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus Peripatopsis |
| title_sort | systematics of two sympatric velvet worm species complexes with a conservation assessment of the genus peripatopsis |
| topic | species boundaries; velvet worm; Tulbagh; Western Cape |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/110459 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT barnesaaron systematicsoftwosympatricvelvetwormspeciescomplexeswithaconservationassessmentofthegenusperipatopsis |