title: Genetics and shell morphometrics of assimineids (Mollusca, Caenogastropoda, Truncatelloidea) in the St Lucia Estuary, South Africa.
abstract: The Assimineidae are a family of amphibious microgastropods that can be mostly found in estuaries and mangroves in South Africa. These snails often occur in great numbers and are ecologically important to the St Lucia Estuary, which forms a crucial part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Genetic and shell morphometric analyses were conducted on individuals collected from nine localities distributed from the northern lake regions to the southern lake and the mouth of the St Lucia estuarine lake. Mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (28S) DNA was used to construct Bayesian Inference, Neighbour-joining, Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood trees. Principal Component Analysis and Cluster Analysis were performed on standard shell parameter data. Results indicate that two different taxa are present in St Lucia. The taxon comprising individuals from the South Lake and St Lucia Estuary Mouth is identified as Assiminea cf. capensis Bartsch, in accordance with the latest taxonomic consensus. The taxon comprising assimineid individuals from False Bay, North Lake and South Lake, is here tentatively named "Assiminea" aff. capensis (Sowerby). These two taxa exhibit patterns of spatial overlap that appear to vary depending on environmental parameters, particularly salinity. The need to resolve the complex taxonomy of assimineids is highlighted.
authors: DST/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, c/o Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, P O Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa.
authors: Nelson A F
authors: NA
authors: Miranda
authors: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Private Bag X5401, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: van Rooyen
authors: School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Private Bag X5401, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
authors: Angus
authors: A
authors: MacDonald
authors: Malacology Section, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, 2010, NSW, Australia.
authors: Winston
authors: W
authors: Ponder
authors: DST/NRF Research Chair in Shallow Water Ecosystems, c/o Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, P O Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa ; School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Private Bag X5401, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
authors: Renzo
authors: R
authors: Perissinotto
keywords: Assiminea; Microgastropods; St Lucia Estuary; iSimangaliso Wetland Park; taxonomy