Molecular phylogenetic study on few morphotypes of a patellogastropod Cellana karachiensis from northern Arabian Sea reveals unexpected genetic diversity

Abstract

A group of limpets, Cellana karachiensis, exhibiting phenotypic plasticity were examined from Gujarat coastline India, using molecular phylogeny. Previous examination of the COI genes established the presence of three different haplotypes X, Y and Z, while present study showed three more haplotypes X₁, X₂ and Z₁. Thus, a total of six COI gene haplotypes, having 99.23% to 99.85% sequence similarity, were observed with variations at six sites. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis shows divergence of lineages X–Y, X₁–X₂ and Z–Z₁. Careful observation of nucleotide alterations showed a nonrandom mutation with more A↔G and C↔T transitions between closely related species of the genus Cellana. A stretch of 17 base pair, within COI region, was marked as region with high degree of variability between species of Cellana. Results suggest that this could be the beginning of speciation, with partial or complete reproductive barrier or these are already distinct species in different stages of evolution.

Keywords:

• Molecular phylogeny
• patellogastropod
• evolution
• nucleotide transitions
• speciation

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to University Grants Commission (UGC), Govt. of India, New Delhi, for supporting this study through its Center of Advanced Studies (CAS) Phase-I Program. UGC, Govt. of India, New Delhi, is also acknowledged for providing Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students (SJ) and BSR Fellowship (BV). Various Govt. and non-Govt. Organizations of the Gujarat State, India, are also thankfully acknowledged for their help during the coastal surveys.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Authors are thankful to University Grants Commission (UGC), Govt. of India, New Delhi, for supporting this study through its Center of Advanced Studies (CAS) Phase-I Program.