Target-enriched multilocus assay on poriferan museum collections unsettles tethyid classification

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Genomics
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• Marine biodiversity collections are vital for research but face taxonomic challenges.
• Cryptic speciation and morphological identification issues limit sponge (Porifera) studies.
• Archival collections often lack molecular data crucial for modern analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply a novel target-enriched multilocus assay to unidentified archival sponge collections.
• To assess the utility of this method for marine biodiversity assessment using degraded samples.
• To clarify the evolutionary relationships within the Tethyidae family, particularly the genus Tethya.

Main Methods:

• A target-enriched multilocus assay using nuclear ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and mitochondrial genomes was developed.
• The assay was applied to a decades-old, unidentified collection of Tethyidae from the Queensland Museum.
• Phylogenetic analyses were conducted on sequence data from 40 specimens, utilizing up to 2,788 loci.

Main Results:

• The assay successfully sequenced UCEs and mitochondrial genomes from degraded archival sponge samples.
• Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the non-monophyly of Tethya, supporting its paraphyletic nature within Tethyidae.
• Genetic data validated previously hypothesized morphological subgroupings and uncovered novel evolutionary relationships.

Conclusions:

• Target-enriched multilocus assays are highly effective for biodiversity assessments of archival marine collections.
• This methodology provides a robust framework for understanding past and present marine biodiversity.
• The findings contribute to marine biodiversity conservation efforts by improving taxonomic resolution and evolutionary insights.