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Taxonomy, phylogenetics and
biogeography of Nerita
(Gastropoda:Neritidae)
Web Description
Understanding how processes of diversification generate biological diversity remains a central question
to the study of evolution. For my doctoral research, I studied the systematics and biogeography of a
remarkably diverse group of marine snails in the genus Nerita. This genus comprises over 70 species, is
broadly distributed both geographically and ecologically, and serves as a model system for examining
patterns and processes of diversification. In this project, I will continue to investigate select species of
Nerita, including their taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, and biogeographical history. Previously
collected data will be analyzed using standard phylogenetic methods, and findings will be submitted for
publication in peer-reviewed journals. As part of this project, I will also continue my involvement with a
globally-based, online taxonomic initiative. By working collaboratively with researchers outside of Canada,
this project fosters strong links with the international scientific and malacological community.
Rationale/Full description:
This project stems from my Ph.D. work, during which I developed taxonomic expertise on marine nerite
gastropods. My continued research of this group, resulting in publications on taxonomy, phylogenetics, and
biogeography along with collaborations with other researchers, fosters strong links with the international
scientific and malacological community.
Detailed Project Description:
This project focuses on the taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biogeography of a group of nerite gastropods.
Neritimorpha (= Neritopsina) gastropods represent an exceptionally diverse group of snails and slugs,
with over 500 marine, freshwater, and terrestrial species distributed worldwide. Understanding how
processes of diversification generate such species richness remains a central question to the study of
evolution. For my doctoral research, I investigated the systematics and biogeography of Nerita, a
remarkably diverse genus nested within the Neritimorpha. This genus comprises over 70 marine species,
is broadly distributed both geographically and ecologically, and serves as a model system for examining
patterns and processes of diversification. In this project, I will continue to study select species of Nerita,
including their taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships, and biogeographical history. Previously collected
morphological and molecular data will be analyzed using standard phylogenetic methods. Findings will
be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. As part of this project, I will also continue my
involvement with a globally-based, online taxonomic initiative. This work stems from my doctoral
research, and will be completed in collaboration with colleagues at the University of California, the
University of Tokyo, and the Encyclopedia of Life.
CRA327
ORCS 23500-20
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Curator: Melissa Frey, Curator of Invertebrates
Other participants:
Eric Crandall, University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC)
Tom Eichhorst, American Conchologist, Editor; Neritopsine Gastropods LifeDesk (EOL)
Yasunori Kano, University of Tokyo (UT)
Schedule: Short-term (year)
2012: Complete manuscript on South Pacific Nerita and submit for publication to peer-reviewed journal
(September-December).
Schedule: Long Term (multiple years)
2013-Ongoing: Complete manuscript on comparative phylogeography of Nerita species and submit for
publication to peer-reviewed journal. Continued involvement with EOL: manage lifedesk, catalogue species,
and curate online content.
Community outreach:
The Neritopsine Gastropod LifeDesk offers the general public, including malacologists, shell collectors,
students, and citizen scientists, a unique venue to freely exchange information on marine, freshwater, and
terrestrial nerites. This LifeDesk, supported by over 30 contributing members, also serves as a content
provider to the EOL website, thereby sharing its information with a broader audience. As part of this
project, I plan to continue to manage the LifeDesk.
Planned publications and other products:
Frey, M.A. In prep. Double invasion and parallelism across the South Pacific: diversification leads to
cryptic species in a group of marine gastropods (Nerita: Lisanerita). For submission to Journal of
Biogeography.
Frey, M.A., E.D. Crandall, and Y. Kano. In prep. Differential genetic structure among congeneric snails
(Genus: Nerita): comparative phylogeography and dispersal abilities. For submission to Molecular
Ecology.
Frey, M.A. and T. Eichhorst. Neritopsine Gastropods LifeDesk. Encyclopedia of
Life, http://neritopsine.lifedesks.org
CRA327
ORCS 23500-20