Marine Gastrotrich Genetic Sequences for Four Species Across European Seas

Four marine gastrotrich species—Xenotrichula intermedia, Halichaetonotus aculifer, H. atlanticus, and Turbanella bocqueti—were analyzed using single-specimen whole-genome sequencing and multigene phylogenetics. The dataset, shared by Agata Cesaretti on figshare in May 2026, contains genetic sequence data used to identify distinct northern and Mediterranean lineages. It reveals cryptic diversity, including separate Ligurian, Adriatic, and Tunisian genetic lines within X. intermedia.

Use Cases

• Conducting species delimitation analyses based on genetic markers like 18S, 28S, and COI
• Studying phylogeographic patterns and genetic structure across European coastal populations
• Investigating cryptic diversity and evolutionary independence in marine meiofauna
• Testing biogeographic hypotheses about dispersal barriers between the North Sea and Mediterranean Sea

Strengths

• Data is derived from single-specimen whole-genome sequencing, likely providing high-resolution genetic information
• Applies multiple species-delimitation methods (distance-based and coalescent-based), strengthening phylogenetic conclusions
• Focuses on four distinct species, allowing for comparative analysis of genetic divergence patterns

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment
• The dataset is small at 585.5 KB, indicating a limited scope in terms of raw data volume

Provenance

Source

figshare

Collection Method

Single-specimen whole-genome sequencing and multigene phylogenetics (18S, 28S, COI)

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-12 14:36:57; freshness should be verified

Geography

Populations from the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea (including Ligurian, Adriatic, and Tunisian regions)