Hidden species could be more widespread than previously thought

Cryptic species - animals that appear identical but are genetically quite distinct - may be much more widespread than previously thought, according to a new study by a team of German researchers from the Goethe-Universitat in Frankfurt.

London, July 19 : Cryptic species - animals that appear identical but are genetically quite distinct - may be much more widespread than previously thought, according to a new study by a team of German researchers from the Goethe-Universitat in Frankfurt.

Markus Pfenninger and Klaus Schwenk analysed all known data on cryptic animal species and discovered that they are found in equal proportions throughout all major branches of the animal kingdom and occur in equal numbers in all biogeographical regions.

"Species that are seemingly widespread and abundant could in reality be many different cryptic species that have low populations and are highly endangered. Until the genetic information of all species in at least one taxon is thoroughly studied, no one will know just how many cryptic species exist. It could be as high as 30 percent," said Pfenninger.

Reports of cryptic species have increased dramatically over the past two decades with the advent of relatively inexpensive DNA sequencing technology, and the findings could have major implications in areas ranging from biodiversity estimates and wildlife management to our understanding of infectious diseases and evolution, the scientists said.

Scientists had previously speculated that cryptic species were predominantly found in insects and reptiles, and were more likely to occur in tropical rather than temperate regions.

"I'm flabbergasted by their results. It's a call to arms to keep doing the broad kind of genetic studies that we are doing," said Alex Smith of the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Smith is a part of the Consortium for the Barcode of Life, an international effort to map a unique genetic "barcode" for all species on earth.

Sampling as many individuals as possible, Pfenninger and Schwenk now hope to complete work on all fish and birds in another five to 10 years.

According to Pfenninger, once either of these taxonomic groups is completed, researchers will be able to extrapolate how many cryptic species exist throughout the animal kingdom.

The findings appear in the July 18 issue of the BMC Evolutionary Biology journal, reports New Scientist.

ANI