Author: Rade  Garic, Ph.D. research associate (University of Dubrovnik)

Designation: 

Description:
Thalia democratica inhabits warm and temperate waters around the globe and is one of the most ubiquitous Thaliacea of coastal waters. Currently, within Thalia democratica there are two accepted forms: Thalia democratica democratica (Forskål, 1775) and Thalia democratica indopacifica van Soest, 1975. The two forms differ quite substantially in morphology. The most notable difference is in presence/absence of lateral cuticular projections as well as in size of medioventral projections. In order to test if the two forms of T. democratica represent different species, we sequenced 1758 bp long fragment of 18S gene. The 18S sequences of the two T. democratica forms differed 0.17%, or in 3 positions out of 1758. In the view that T. democratica and T. longicauda, which are considered separate species, have identical 18S sequences it is likely that Thalia democratica democratica and Thalia democratica indopacifica are separate species.

Category: Scientific Program Abstract > Special Sessions > CS24 Biodiversity