Molecular and morphological evidence reveals the presence of the tadpole shrimp Lepidurus cf. couesii (crustacea: Branchiopoda) in Iran

Lepidurus couesii is a large freshwater branchiopod that is distributed broadly around the world. In this study, we used molecular and morphological methods to identify and record Lepidurus cf. couesii for the first time in Iran. The Almalou Gul specimens presented the characteristic number of rings, mediodorsal spines on the supra-anal plate, and the sulcus spines of the species L. couesii. A complete morphological characterization of the species and a comparison with previous records of Lepidurus apus in Iran is included in this work. Phylogenetic analysis based on the COI gene recovered the Iranian specimens as an independent lineage within the L. couesii species complex. The GMYC and the ASAP species delimitation models calculated at least four independent lineages within the L. couesii species-complex, some of them with probably restricted distributions. This study stresses –once again– the presence of several species-complexes within this group of crustaceans and the necessity to include molecular phylogenetic research to recognize the specific occurrence of different lineages within the genus Lepidurus.