Distinct genetic differentiation and species diversification within two marine nematodes with different habitat preference in Antarctic sediments

BackgroundDispersal ability, population genetic structure and species divergence in marine nematodes are still poorly understood, especially in remote areas such as the Southern Ocean. We investigated genetic differentiation of species and populations of the free-living endobenthic nematode genera Sabatieria and Desmodora using nuclear 18S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences. Specimens were collected at continental shelf depths (200–500m) near the Antarctic Peninsula, Scotia Arc and eastern side of the Weddell Sea. The two n... Mehr ...