A phylogenetic perspective on larval spine morphology in Leucorrhinia (Odonata: Libellulidae) based on ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 rDNA sequences

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2004
Authors:R. Hovmöller, Johansson F.
Journal:Mol Phylogenet Evol
Volume:30
Pagination:653-62
Date Published:Mar
Abstract:

Leucorrhinia (Odonata, Anisoptera, Libellulidae) consists of 14-15 species with a holarctic distribution. We have combined the morphological characters of a previous study with sequence data from the ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, and ITS2 regions of the nuclear ribosomal repeat. Cloning was used to investigate the intra-individual variation and such variation was found in all investigated species. Parsimony jackknifing was used to identify supported groups. The effect of sequence alignment and gap coding was explored by a modified sensitivity analysis. Loss of spines in Leucorrhinia larvae has occurred twice: once in Europe and once in North America. The role of spines as a defence against predation is discussed in a phylogenetic context.

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith