Integrative study of various populations of Aporrectodea rosea (Savigny, 1826) based on morphological and molecular analyses (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)
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Aporrectodea rosea (Savigny, 1826) is one of the most common earthworm species found in the temperate regions of the Holarctic. In this study, we examined the molecular variation within this species by analyzing both nuclear and mitochondrial sequences. The phylogenetic results were combined with morphological, ecological, and genomic evidence to test species boundaries. Previous studies have divided this species into two lineages: Mediterranean and Eurosiberian. Our analyses revealed that almost all specimens collected from Iran lie within the two established lineages. Some genetic differences observed among the morphotypes in the Iranian populations may relate to their phylogeographic origins (Euro-Siberian/Mediterranean). Additionally, some morphological features might reflect differences in reproductive mode (sexual/parthenogenetic) due to specific ecological conditions.
