Meeting Abstract
Species of Marphysa are popular bait for recreational fishing in Australia. Until 10 years ago, they were all considered the same species, Marphysa sanguinea (Montagu, 1813). However, M. sanguinea is not present in the Australian coast. Instead, at least four M. sanguinea like species are present. Of these, two have been described as new species and at least an additional one is undescribed. Also, four other species of Marphysa not closely related to M. sanguinea have been identified from Australian coastal areas. Such diversity is the result of multiple colonization of the Australian Coast by different Marphysa lineages rather than of local diversification and is being explored using both molecular and morphological techniques. We have found three clades based on molecular data, one bearing species with both compound falcigers and spinigers, a second including species with only compound falcigers and the third one of species with only compound spinigers or lacking compound chaetae. The increase in knowledge about the diversity of Marphysa species in Australia as well as about the history of this diversity can greatly contribute to more effective conservation measures and exploitation planning of these species by the bait industry.
