Zhonge Hou

Eocene habitat shift from saline to freshwater promoted Tethyan amphipod diversification

Current theory predicts that a shift to a new habitat would increase the rate of diversification, while as lineages evolve into multiple species, intensified competition would decrease the rate of diversification. We used Holarctic amphipods of the genus Gammarus to test this hypothesis. We sequenced four genes (5,088 bp) for 289 samples representing 115 Gammarus species. A phylogenetic analysis showed that Gammarus originated from the Tethyan region with a saline ancestry in the Paleocene, and later colonized the freshwater habitat in the Middle Eocene. Ancestral range reconstruction and diversification mode analysis combined with paleogeological and paleoclimatic evidence suggested that the habitat shift from saline to freshwater led to an increased diversification rate. The saline lineage of Gammarus dispersed to both sides of the Atlantic at 55 million years ago (Ma), because of the few barriers between the Tethys and the Atlantic, and diversified throughout its evolutionary history with a constant diversification rate [0.04 species per million years (sp/My)]. The freshwater Gammarus, however, underwent a rapid diversification phase (0.11 sp/My) until the Middle Miocene, and lineages successively diversified across Eurasia via vicariance process likely driven by changes of the Tethys and landmass. In particular, the freshwater Gammarus lacustris and Gammarus balcanicus lineages had a relatively high diversification shift, corresponding to the regression of the Paratethys Sea and the continentalization of Eurasian lands during the Miocene period. Subsequently (14 Ma), the diversification rate of the freshwater Gammarus decreased to 0.05 and again to 0.01 sp/My. The genus Gammarus provides an excellent aquatic case supporting the hypothesis that ecological opportunities promote diversification.

Phylogenetic analyses of Gammaridae crustacean reveal different diversification patterns among sister lineages in the Tethyan region

The Gammaridae shows the greatest disparity in species diversity and distribution pattern in the Amphipoda, with some genera ranging from the Palearctic to Nearctic, while others are limited to the Mediterranean region or ancient Tethyan margins. Here we present the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Gammaridae to investigate its evolutionary history using four genetic markers and a comprehensive set of taxa representing 198 species. The phylogenetic results revealed that the Gammaridae originated from the Tethyan region in the Cretaceous, and split into three morphologically and geographically distinct lineages by the end of the Paleocene. Diversification analysis combined with paleogeological evidence suggested that the Tethyan changes induced by sea‐level fluctuation and tectonic uplift triggered different diversification modes and range expansions for the three lineages. The Gammarus lineage underwent an early rapid radiation across Eurasia and North America, then declined towards modern species. Pontogammarids maintained stable diversification with restricted distributions around the Tethyan basin, whereas sarothrogammarids experienced evolutionary stasis by stranding on the ancient Tethyan margins. Our findings suggest that environmental changes have played an important role in the diversification of Gammaridae lineages, which could be an opportunity to promote adaptive radiations in new habitats, or constraints resulting in evolutionary relicts.

Terrestrial talitrid amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from China and Vietnam: studies on the collection of IZCAS

Four species of talitrid Amphipoda based on the collection in the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IZCAS) are reported. Descriptions on two new species, Platorchestia bousfieldi n. sp. and Floresorchestia hanoiensis n. sp. are given. Differences between new species and related species are discussed.

Marine incursion into East Asia: a forgotten driving force of biodiversity.

Episodic marine incursion has been a major driving force in the formation of present-day diversity. Marine incursion is considered to be one of the most productive ‘species pumps’ particularly because of its division and coalescence effects. Marine incursion events and their impacts on diversity are well documented from South America, North America and Africa; however, their history and impacts in continental East Asia largely remain unknown. Here, we propose a marine incursion scenario occurring in East Asia during the Miocene epoch, 10–17 Ma. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis of Platorchestia talitrids revealed that continental terrestrial populations (Platorchestia japonica) form a monophyletic group that is the sister group to the Northwest Pacific coastal species Platorchestia pacifica. The divergence time between the two species coincides with Middle Miocene high global sea levels. We suggest that the inland form arose as a consequence of a marine incursion event. This is the first solid case documenting the impact of marine incursion on extant biodiversity in continental East Asia. We believe that such incursion event has had major impacts on other organisms and has played an important role in the formation of biodiversity patterns in the region.

Three new species of the genus Gammarus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Gammaridae) from Yunnan, China

Abstract Three new species of the genus Gammarus are described from Lijiang, Yunnan Province, South China. Gammarus elevatus sp. nov. is characterized by mid-dorsal keel on pleonites 1-3 and compressed elevation on urosomites 1-2; G. denticulatus sp. nov. by many small spinules and setae on pleonites 1-3; G. stagnarius sp. nov. by lack of calceoli on antenna 2 and shorter inner ramus of uropod 3. These amphipods are compared with other known Gammarus species from China.

Tethyan changes shaped aquatic diversification

The Tethys Ocean existed between the continents of Gondwana and Laurasia from the Triassic to the Pliocene. Analyses of multiple biogeographic and phylogenetic histories reveal that the subsequent breakup of the Tethys greatly influenced the distributions of many species. The ancestral Tethyan realm broke into five biogeographic provinces, including the present‐day East Pacific, West Atlantic, East Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, and Indo‐West Pacific. Palaeogeographic maps illustrate the Mesozoic Atlantic opening, the Cenozoic closure of the Tethys, the Messinian Salinity Crisis, the mid‐Miocene closure of the Central American Seaway, and Quaternary geological changes. Further, we consider Cenozoic sea‐level changes and the formation of freshwater habitats. These reconstructions allow assessment of patterns of aquatic diversification for marine and freshwater animals, and comparison of vicariance and dispersal processes. Estimated divergence times indicate that fragmentation of the Tethys was responsible for the vicariant speciation of aquatic animals because these dates are consistent with associated tectonic events. The opening of the Atlantic Ocean during the Cretaceous is responsible for the earliest isolation between the West and East Atlantic. The mid‐Miocene closure of the Tethys, which blocked global equatorial currents, appears to have isolated the Atlantic/Mediterranean Sea and Indo‐West Pacific. Finally, formation of the Isthmus of Panama isolated East Pacific and West Atlantic marine organisms. Dispersals related to the Messinian Salinity Crisis and Quaternary sea‐level changes influenced population structuring. Tethyan changes affected marine habitats, created new freshwater habitats, inland caves and ancient lakes along the Alps and Himalayas, and influenced anchialine caves at the edge of the ancient sea. The extensive new habitats provided opportunities for colonisation and rapid diversification. Future work should focus on testing the biological impact of the series of Tethyan changes.

Amphipod crustaceans (Gammaridea) from Beijing, P. R. China

Seven freshwater and terrestrial amphipod species from Beijing, including one new species, Jesogammarus (Annanogammarus) debilis, are reported. A detailed description and illustrations of this new species are given and differences between these seven species are discussed. A key to the amphipods of Beijing and their distribution data are also presented.

Two new Gammarus species and a new name (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Gammaridae) from Northwest China

Two new species of the genus Gammarus are described and illustrated from Northwest China. A new species name Gammarus tianshan nom. nov. is proposed to replace G. montanus Hou et al., 2004. Gammarus simplex sp. nov. from Altay, Xinjiang, is characterized by uropod III with simple setae on both rami and urosomite I only with setae on dorsal margin. Gammarus glaber sp. nov. from Qinghai, is characterized by uropod III with few simple and plumose setae. Detailed morphological description and differences from related species are discussed. A distribution map of the new species and related species is provided.

Ten new Gammarus species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Gammaridae) from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, China

Ten new species of the genus Gammarus are described from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Southwest China, including Gammarus amabilis sp. nov., G. citatus sp. nov., G. echinatus sp. nov., G. egregius sp. nov., G. eliquatus sp. nov., G. hirtellussp. nov., G. margcomosus sp. nov., G. rivalis sp. nov., G. silendus sp. nov. and G. tranquillus sp. nov. Four of them are stygobite and with no eyes. Detailed illustrations and comparisons with related species are presented. A key to all species from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau are given.

Presumed statocysts in the cephalon of Dikerogammarus villosus (Sowinsky, 1894) (Peracarida, Amphipoda): Amphipod Pilot Species Project (AMPIS) Report 3

In males and females of Dikerogammarus villosus, a depression in the integument was found at each side of the cephalon. These depressions have a specialized and, apparently, elastic cuticular lining. We assume that the depressions function as statocysts because of their backward location on the cephalon, just in front of the first pereionite, and also because of the remarkable resemblance with statocysts described from palinurid decapods, where such depressions form the outside expression of the statocysts present in the peduncles of the antennulae.