Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Chirocephalus, with the description of a new species Chirocephalus algeriensis sp.nov. (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) from Algeria

Abstract

Abstract Molecular analyses based on the comparison of Chirocephalus species mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences obtained from Algeria, Morocco and France with other available sequences were performed. The analysis clarified the status of the genus Chirocephalus Prévost, 1803 in Algeria and its phylogenetic links with other populations. Three lineages occur in Algeria representing three different species: Chirocephalus salinus Daday, 1910, C. sanhadjaensis Boumendjel, Rabet and Amarouayache, 2018 and a new species sampled in Reghaïa (Alger, Algeria) near Algiers. All these species, belonging to the "diaphanus" group, seem to be endemic to Algeria except C. salinus also present in France (Corsica). The new species C. algeriensis sp. nov. is described and its affinities with other species of the genus are presented. This species is until now restricted to Algiers region and shares several characters with C. diaphanus Prévost, 1803. It is separated from all other species by the shape and size of the second antennal appendages of the male and the female. The resting eggs of C. algeriensis sp. nov. are morphologically similar to those of many Chirocephalus but a variation of size of eggs can be used at a specific level.