CRYPTIC DIVERSITY IN PLANKTIC FORAMINIFERA IN THE NORTHWEST PACIFIC OCEAN

Recent molecular studies show multiple cases of cryptic diversification in planktic foraminifera; however, the geographic distribution of the cryptic species is poorly known. Herein, we present the first insight into the cryptic diversity of planktic foraminifera from Northwest Pacific samples. We obtained 97 new SSU rDNA sequences representing 13 planktic foraminiferal morphospecies, including the first sequence data for Candeina nitida. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of 192 sequences (97 new and 95 known sequences) from 21 morphospecies identified 36 genetic types, including three new ones. Thirty of the genetic types have transoceanic distributions that can be explained by global oceanic circulation patterns, particularly around the Cape of Good Hope.