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Invertebrate Systematics Invertebrate Systematics Society
Systematics, phylogeny and biogeography
Invertebrate Systematics

Invertebrate Systematics

Volume 38 Number 3 2024

IS23018Novel molecular resources for single-specimen barcoding of enigmatic crustacean y-larvae

Niklas Dreyer 0000-0002-1391-1642, Jørgen Olesen 0000-0001-9582-7083, Mark J. Grygier, Danny Eibye-Jacobsen 0000-0002-7079-2627, Alexandra S. Savchenko 0000-0001-6167-5405, Yoshihisa Fujita 0000-0003-1906-746X, Gregory A. Kolbasov 0000-0002-3762-1834, Ryuji J. Machida 0000-0003-1687-4709, Benny K. K. Chan 0000-0001-9479-024X and Ferran Palero 0000-0002-0343-8329

Schematic representation of the life cycle of y‐larvae (Pancrustacea: Facetotecta).

Adult forms of y-larvae (Pancrustacea: Facetotecta) remain unknown despite discovery more than 100 years ago and global occurrence. Likewise, the evolutionary history of y-larvae remains almost entirely unknown due to a critical lack of molecular, morphological and ecological data. To rectify this situation, we developed a novel rearing, imaging, and DNA extraction protocol that maximises retrieval of molecular and morpho-ecological data layers from single larval specimens. Through the design of new primers and a careful evaluation of best practices, we pave the road for finally unravelling the evolutionary history of this enigmatic group of animals. (Image credit: J. Olesen.)


Male pedipalpmorphology in the three extant species of Mastigusa: M. arietina, M. macrophthalma and M. diversa

The debatable identity and delimitation of spider species of Mastigusa have confused the taxonomic status and distribution. Broad sampling, and morphological and molecular techniques were used to revise the species’ statuses. Three Mastigusa species were recircumscribed and redescribed, and the distributions updated. Based on a reexamination of type material, Mastigusa diversa O. Pichard-Cambridge, 1893 is revalidated. Mastigusa shows strong ecological plasticity, and understanding the species delimitations and distributions will unravel drivers of extreme lifestyles such as myrmecophily and cave-dwelling. (Image credit: F. Castellucci.)

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