Unrecognized species-level diversity of terrestrial nemerteans in the UNESCO world heritage Ogasawara Islands revealed by mitogenomics
Our results indicate the presence of species-level diversity in Japanese terrestrial nemerteans and demonstrate that accurate species identification using molecular barcodes is essential in insular ecosystems. Recognizing cryptic or pseudocryptic lineages is critical for effective biodiversity monitoring and for preventing mismanagement in ecologically sensitive regions such as the Ogasawara Islands.
Authors
- Hiroshi Kajihara (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6510-9355)
- Natsumi Hookabe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3498-8614)
- Akinori Yabuki (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4070-0226)
- Naoto Sawada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7480-4672)
- Hiroki Yoshino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1850-1033)
- Shimpei F. Hiruta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7890-1720)
- Yu Hisasue (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4817-2357)
- Rei Ueshima
Institutions
- Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JP)
- Hokkaido University (JP)
- Advanced Institute of Materials Science (JP)
- Mount Fuji Research Institute (JP)
- Japan Wildlife Research Center (JP)
- National Museum of Nature and Science (JP)
- The University of Tokyo (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMC Ecology and Evolution
- Published
- 2025-12-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-025-02468-7
- Primary Topic
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science