The role of molecular taxonomy in uncovering variation within crayfish and the implications for conservation

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Author(s)
Dawkins, Kat
Burnham, Quinton
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2013
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Freshwater species in general (and crayfish specifically) often have limited ranges with high species endemism within, and species turnover between, catchments. Freshwater species also face ever-increasing threats, and genetic diversity (both at and below the species level) is being lost as a result of these threats. Molecular taxonomy provides a tool by which this diversity can be rapidly (and relatively cheaply) uncovered before it is lost. Identifying previously unrealised diversity within crayfish via molecular techniques can act as a stimulus to further taxonomic investigations and conservation efforts. Specific examples ...
View more >Freshwater species in general (and crayfish specifically) often have limited ranges with high species endemism within, and species turnover between, catchments. Freshwater species also face ever-increasing threats, and genetic diversity (both at and below the species level) is being lost as a result of these threats. Molecular taxonomy provides a tool by which this diversity can be rapidly (and relatively cheaply) uncovered before it is lost. Identifying previously unrealised diversity within crayfish via molecular techniques can act as a stimulus to further taxonomic investigations and conservation efforts. Specific examples are given from Australian crayfish, where molecular data have highlighted significant genetic diversity, which may correspond to previously overlooked morphological variation. We hope these examples can promote the undertaking of wide scale molecular revisions of as many crayfish taxa as possible, looking for any previously unrecognised lineages within currently described species (akin to ESUs) that warrant further revision. Beyond this, we advocate that these lineages should be afforded conservation consideration in order to buy time for more thorough reviews to be completed.
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View more >Freshwater species in general (and crayfish specifically) often have limited ranges with high species endemism within, and species turnover between, catchments. Freshwater species also face ever-increasing threats, and genetic diversity (both at and below the species level) is being lost as a result of these threats. Molecular taxonomy provides a tool by which this diversity can be rapidly (and relatively cheaply) uncovered before it is lost. Identifying previously unrealised diversity within crayfish via molecular techniques can act as a stimulus to further taxonomic investigations and conservation efforts. Specific examples are given from Australian crayfish, where molecular data have highlighted significant genetic diversity, which may correspond to previously overlooked morphological variation. We hope these examples can promote the undertaking of wide scale molecular revisions of as many crayfish taxa as possible, looking for any previously unrecognised lineages within currently described species (akin to ESUs) that warrant further revision. Beyond this, we advocate that these lineages should be afforded conservation consideration in order to buy time for more thorough reviews to be completed.
View less >
Journal Title
Freshwater Crayfish
Volume
19
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2013 International Association of Astacology. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Ecology not elsewhere classified
Zoology