ORTMAN, B.D.; BUCKLIN, A.; University of New Hampshire, Durham; University of New Hampshire, Durham: Integration of morphological and molecular characters to facilitate species identification and biodiversity within the Ctenophora

Ctenophores, like other gelatinous zooplankton, are problematic organisms to identify using morphological characters. Their fragility makes collection of intact specimens difficult. The integration of molecular data with existing morphological characters will help facilitate their accurate species identification and biodiversity assessments. In this study, ctenophores were collected from the Gulf of Maine, Northwest Atlantic, using special samplers on the Johnson-Sea-Link submersible. Additional specimens were collected by dip net, MOCNESS, and plankton net tows from Woods Hole, MA., the northern Gulf of Mexico, and the Black Sea. All specimens were identified to species (or the closest possible taxon) by taxonomic experts. DNA sequence variation was determined for mtCOI, mt16s rRNA, and the nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS-1). Variation of each gene region was evaluated and compared for utility for species identification, biodiversity assessment, and population genetic studies.