Publication details
Evolutionary insight into Euconulus fulvus group (Gastropoda) with some taxonomic implications
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | Euconulus is a widely distributed genus of Holarctic land snails, distinguished by species with tightly coiled conical shells (2.3–3.5 mm). Molecular phylogenetic studies often reveal that species with similar shell shapes belong to different lineages, suggesting that these similarities result from convergent evolution rather than shared ancestry. Consequently, some presumed Euconulus species may belong to closely related genera or vice versa. For example, previous studies have suggested that Euconulus fulvus exhibits a polyphyletic structure, with a distinct subclade originating from Japan. By incorporating additional samples from Japan and Southeast Asia, we aim to further investigate the taxonomic status of this clade using an integrative approach. Two nuclear markers (ITS1, ITS2) and two mitochondrial markers (COII, 16S), as well as two newly developed nuclear markers (ZN507 + TEP1), were utilized to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Euconulus, analyzing 53 samples representing all five nominal species of the E. fulvus group. We pursued this objective through morphometric analysis, employing classic shell measurements and geometric morphometry with 19 landmarks. East and Southeast Asian group exhibited significant genetic divergence and distinctly different shell morphology from all the other five species. Based on examination of the lectotype and paralectotype of Parakaliella harimensis, we conclude that these represent the same species and P. harimensis needs to be reassigned to Euconulus. This is a strong reminder that unrelated snail species can evolve similar shell shapes due to similar selective pressures in different geographic regions, leading to erroneous taxonomic conclusions. |