DNA taxonomy reveals high species diversity among the stygobiont genus Metastenasellus (Crustacea, Isopoda) in African groundwater

This study aimed to explore the species diversity within the isopod genus Metastenasellus in Benin and Cameroon. Compared to other parts of the world, the described diversity of stygobiotic crustaceans in Africa is low due to a dearth of studies and taxonomic expertise. However, recent research activities in Benin and Cameroon suggest higher groundwater diversity than previously envisioned. Recent sampling campaigns in these countries have shown that Metastenasellus is a major group in the underground aquatic environment. The accumulation of biological material provided an opportunity to explore species diversity within the genus using a DNA taxonomy approach based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment. Despite the limitations of using a single-locus approach for species delimitation, an overview of the diversity within the genus Metastenasellus was obtained, revealing the presence of 23 distinct lineages. Several elements suggest that most, if not all, of these lineages represent valid species. These include high genetic distances between lineages, morphologically distinct species separated by genetic distances of the same order of magnitude as between other described lineages, and the coexistence of different lineages at the same stations. Despite a limited sampling effort, these first results indicate a high level of species diversity and endemism within Metastenasellus in the studied regions. The narrow geographic distribution of the lineages suggests strong isolation and limited dispersal abilities. This study highlights the potential for discovering a significant number of new species within this genus and emphasizes the need for further research to uncover the extent of diversity in African stygobiotic isopods.