Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles
Published on: July 11, 2025
Taxonomic position of Eunapius subterraneus (Porifera, Spongillidae) inferred from molecular data--a revised
Matija Harcet1, Helena Bilandzija, Branka Bruvo-Madarić
1Department of Molecular Biology, Ruder Bosković Institute, Bijenicka 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia. mharcet@irb.hr
Abstract:
The freshwater sponge Eunapius subterraneus was described in 1984 on the basis of its morphology and unique ecological features. It inhabits caves in the Ogulin karst area as the only known stygobitic sponge, and an endangered karst species. We used three genetic markers with different evolutionary rates in phylogenetic analyses of E. subterraneus. All of the markers exclude this sponge from the genus Eunapius. Based on our results, we emphasize the need for revision of the taxonomic classification of E. subterraneus as well as the need for a thorough re-evaluation of freshwater sponge systematics.
Related Concept Videos
Diversity of Protists III
The Tree of Life - Bacteria, Archaea, Eukaryotes
Diversity of Protists I
Microbial Classification System
Phylogenetic Species Concept in Microbiology
Taxonomy

