<i>Niphargus carolinensis</i> sp. nov. (Amphipoda: Niphargidae), an Endemic Species in the Northern Distribution Area of the Genus

<i>Niphargus carolinensis</i> sp. nov. was sampled from the Carolina Mine located in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany. The new species is described and compared to phylogenetically related species and species identified in nearby locations. The three phylogenetic markers (i.e., COI, 28S r...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dieter Weber, Traian Brad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Hydrobiology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9917/2/4/37
Description
Summary:<i>Niphargus carolinensis</i> sp. nov. was sampled from the Carolina Mine located in North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany. The new species is described and compared to phylogenetically related species and species identified in nearby locations. The three phylogenetic markers (i.e., COI, 28S rRNA and ITS2) studied in the examined specimens had different sequences compared to those belonging to species present in locations neighboring the Carolina Mine, i.e., in a radius of 40 km. <i>N. carolinensis</i> sp. nov. is a small-to-medium-sized species that is poorly setose; has a relatively short antenna I, trapezoidal gnathopod propodites, long pereopod VI, and short uropod III; and is not differentiated sexually. The new species described herein is a case of narrow endemism and adds to the diversity of the genus <i>Niphargus</i> in Germany. This work is a contribution to knowledge on groundwater amphipod diversity and the systematics of the genus <i>Niphargus</i> close to the northern border of the distribution of this genus.
ISSN:2673-9917