Meeting Abstract
The “Lottia kogamogai” species complex is a group of lottiid limpets. It consists of four species, all of which inhabit the intertidal rocky shore in Japan. In this complex, shell sculpture that is regarded as important diagnostic character is sometimes eroded. Therefore, it is difficult to identify the species in the field. In particular, ribs on the shell of juveniles are often undeveloped, making identification of the juveniles even more difficult. To reveal the identity of each species, we first conducted molecular phylogenetic analysis. Moreover, in this complex, small individuals are often found attached to snails. To clarify their life history, including the period in which juveniles living on the snails, we observed seasonal changes of limpets on snails from September 2013 to September 2014. To correct identify juveniles on snails, we also performed DNA barcoding. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the “Lottia kogamogai” species complex consisted of two different lineages, and two cryptic species were recognized in addition to the four known species. Observations of seasonal changes and DNA barcoding revealed that juveniles of two species exhibited such attaching behavior. Moreover, there are two peaks of recruitment of the juveniles on snails, in early spring and early summer. The period in which the limpets lived on snails was up to one year after settlement. From the results of those studies revealed two species which attaching to snails belongs to the same linage. This lineage consists of species that are distributed in coastal areas around North Pacific, and attaching behavior was also reported in some North American Lottiidae limpets. Therefore, in Lottiidae, it is suggested that such behavior might have evolved only in this lineage.
