In biology, a cryptic species complex is a group of species which satisfy the biological definition of species, that is, they are reproductively isolated from each other, but their morphology is very similar (in some cases virtually identical).
The individual species within the complex can sometimes only be separated using non-morphological data, such as from DNA sequence analysis, bioacoustics, or thorough life history studies. They can, but need not be, parapatric, quite often are sympatric, and sometimes allopatric.
Examples of cryptic species complexes are:
- Audubon's Shearwater (several species suspected)
- Common Bush-tanager (several species suspected)
- Grey-cheeked Thrush and Bicknell's Thrush
- Pogonomyrmex barbatus and P. rugosus (at least six lineages within the two morphospecies)
- Leopard frogs
- Red-legged frogs
- Rhacophorus flying frogs (several cases suspected)
- Scytalopus tapaculos
- Two-barred Flasher (suspected)
- Trichoplax adhaerens (multiple species suspected)
- Brachionus plicatilis (approximately 10 species)
Evidence from the identification of cryptic species has led some to conclude that current estimates of global species richness are too low. For example, research published in January 2008 based on the mitochondrial DNA sequences of giraffes suggested that there are at least 11 genetically distinct populations[1] (though see species problem). Similar methods also found that the Amazonian frog Eleutherodactylus ockendeni is actually at least 3 different species that diverged over 5 million years ago. The authors concluded
Our research coupled with other studies suggests that species richness in the upper Amazon is drastically underestimated by current inventories based on morphospecies,
—[2]
A related concept is the superspecies. This is a group of at least two more or less distinctive species with approximately parapatric distributions. Not all cryptic species complexes are superspecies, and vice versa, but many are.
See also
References
- ^ Giraffes And Frogs Provide More Evidence Of New Species Hidden In Plain Sight. Science Daily. January 2008 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094911.htm
- ^ Giraffes And Frogs Provide More Evidence Of New Species Hidden In Plain Sight. Science Daily. January 2008 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071221094911.htm
External links
- Shellee Morehead, Jon Seger, Don Feener and Brian Brown, A cryptic species complex in the ant parasitoid Apocephalus paraponerae (Diptera: Phoridae)
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