Resumen de Stramonita Genus Exhibits a New Uncovered Species: A Cryptic Species Collected from Accra, Ghana (Eastern Atlantic Ocean)
Tahani El Ayari, Nicolas Bierne, Najoua Trigui El Menif
Several cryptic (new) species were recently identified based on molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses of Stramonita haemastoma complex have recognized new species and cryptic lineages. In the present study, we recorded of the first time the occurrence of a new species from a rocky shore located in Accra, Ghana, Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Individuals from Accra, Ghana (Eastern Atlantic Ocean) were firstly identified as S. haemastoma based on morphological criteria. The colour pattern of the aperture and the number of crenulations were examined from the identification of Ghanaian species, moreover comparison with S. haemastoma shell features was conducted. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial DNA COI sequence of specimens from Ghana showed a strong divergence from Stramonita haemastoma species, this finding was proved by statistical analysis. Overall, the mean genetic distance calculated between S. haemastoma and Ghanaian population is high 10%. The genetic distance measured between Ghanaian Stramonita and other species of the Stramonita haemastoma complex were ranged from 4% S. brasiliensis and 12% S. canaliculata. Specimens from Ghana represent a new species of Stramonita not yet described in Accra coast, Ghana, Eastern Atlantic.
