Genetic diversity in mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences of the water mite Hygrobates fluviatilis (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Hygrobatidae)

Abstract

We studied the genetic diversity of Hygrobates fluviatilis collected from two different types of habitats (springs and streams) based on 653 bp sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Among 39 individuals collected from Iran, the Netherlands and Germany, 29 haplotypes were found. Deviation between the two types of habitats was not found, suggesting frequent gene flow between these habitats. Haplotypes from the same countries formed each clade, and a large genetic distance was found between the samples from different countries, which poses a question about the existence of cryptic species in the populations of this species.

Keywords:

• Hygrobates fluviatilis
• mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I
• DNA
• phylogenetic tree
• habitat

Acknowledgements

The authors sincerely thank Dr. Reinhard Gerecke (Tübingen, Germany) and Dr. Harry Smit (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) for collecting European samples. The authors are also indebted to Dr. T. Higaki (National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Japan) for her technical assistance.