Phylogenetic relationships among genera of the Periclimenes complex (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pontoniinae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA

Abstract

The genus Periclimenes Costa, 1844 is the most species-rich genus in the subfamily Pontoniinae. Recent studies have suggested that it might be a polyphyletic taxon and could be further subdivided. In this study, three protein-coding nuclear genes and one mitochondrial ribosomal gene were used to analyze the phylogenetic relationships among the genera of the Periclimenes complex, includes the genus Periclimenes and 15 related genera, viz. Ancylomenes, Brucecaris, Crinotonia, Cuapetes, Harpiliopsis, Harpilius, Laomenes, Leptomenaeus, Manipontonia, Palaemonella, Periclimenella, Philarius, Phycomenes, Unguicaris and Vir. Based on both independent and combined data analyses, the results support that the genus Periclimenes is a polyphyletic group. Furthermore, the studied Periclimenes species could be divided into several independent groups, and the taxonomic status of P. commensalis, P. brevicarpalis and P. digitalis may need to be reconsidered. Besides, the majority of the related genera of Periclimenes are suggested to be monophyletic. Our analyses also reveal that these genera approximately form two main clades, despite some deep relationships are still obscure.