Abstract

BackgroundThere is a biogeographic break located at 30 degrees S in the southeast Pacific, in a coastal area of strong environmental discontinuities. Several marine benthic taxa with restricted dispersal have a coincident phylogeographic break at 30 degrees S, indicating that genetic structure is moulded by life history traits that limit gene flow and thereby promote divergence and speciation. In order to evaluate intraspecific divergence at this biogeographic break, we investigated the genetic and morphological variation of the directly developing beach isopod Excirolana hirsuticauda along 1900km of the southeast Pacific coast, across 30 degrees S.ResultsThe COI sequences and microsatellite data both identified a strong discontinuity between populations of E. hirsuticauda to the north and south of 30 degrees S, and a second weaker phylogeographic break at approximately 35 degrees S. The three genetic groups were evidenced by different past demographic and genetic diversity signatures, and were also clearly distinguished with microsatellite data clustering. The COI sequences established that the genetic divergence of E. hirsuticauda at 30 degrees S started earlier than divergence at 35 degrees. Additionally, the three groups have different past demographic signatures, with probable demographic expansion occurring earlier in the southern group (south of 35 degrees S), associated with Pleistocene interglacial periods. Interestingly, body length, multivariate morphometric analyses, and the morphology of a fertilization-related morphological character in males, the appendix masculina, reinforced the three genetic groups detected with genetic data.ConclusionsThe degree of divergence of COI sequences, microsatellite data, and morphology was concordant and showed two geographic areas in which divergence was promoted at differing historical periods. Variation in the appendix masculina of males has probably promoted reproductive isolation. This variation together with gene flow restrictions promoted by life history traits, small body size, oceanographic discontinuities and sandy-beach habitat continuity, likely influenced species divergence at 30 degrees S in the southeast Pacific coast. The degree of genetic and morphological differentiation of populations to the north and south of 30 degrees S suggests that E. hirsuticauda harbours intraspecific divergence consistent with reproductive isolation and an advanced stage of speciation. Thespeciation process within E. hirsuticauda has been shaped by both restrictions to gene flow and a prezygotic reproductive barrier.