Onithochiton neglectus is a morphologically variable, brooding chiton inhabiting coastal reefs throughout New Zealand and its Sub-Antarctic Islands. Southern O. neglectus populations are typically associated with buoyant kelp (Durvillaea spp.) and are potentially connected via kelp-rafting. Northern O. neglectus populations are less likely to raft, due to lower numbers of Durvillaea in northern New Zealand. To test for the impact of kelp-rafting on the spatial distribution of variation in O. neglectus, we undertook a combined analysis of morphological and genetic variation across the range of the species. Geometric morphometrics were used to assess shell shape. We detected a northern vs. southern split in shell shape, corresponding to the frequency of the O. neglectus/Durvillaea spp. association. To assess O. neglectus genetic patterns across New Zealand, we estimated phylogenetic trees with nuclear (ITS) and mitochondrial (COI and 16S) markers, which revealed distinct northern and southern lineages, and an additional lineage in central New Zealand. Neither the morphological nor genetic groups match existing O. neglectus subspecies, but are concordant with the patterns of association of O. neglectus with Durvillaea. We suggest that shell shape may be linked to O. neglectus’ regionally variable ecological association with kelp holdfasts.

中文翻译：

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遗传和形态模式的搭便车后果：海带漂流对孵化chi的影响

甲虫（Onithochiton neglectus）是形态上可变的，栖息在整个新西兰及其南极次大陆群岛的沿海珊瑚礁上的巢状Chiton。南O. neglectus种群通常与浮力海带关联（丛梗藻属物种）和经由海带漂流潜在地连接。北O. neglectus人群不太可能筏，适当降低数丛梗藻新西兰北部。测试海带漂流对疏叶疏螺旋藻的空间分布的影响，我们对整个物种范围内的形态和遗传变异进行了综合分析。几何形态计量学用于评估壳的形状。我们检测到了壳形的北向南分裂，这对应于O. neglectus / Durvillaea spp的频率。协会。为了评估整个新西兰的O. neglectus遗传模式，我们估计了带有核（ITS）和线粒体（COI和16S）标记的系统树，揭示了北部和南部的独特谱系，以及新西兰中部的其他谱系。形态学和遗传学上的基因组都不与现有的O. neglectus亚种相匹配，但是与它们的关联模式相一致。O. neglectus与杜鹃花。我们建议，壳的形状可能与海带固着物与O. neglectus的区域性生态联系有关。