Phenetic and Genetic Variability of Continental and Island Populations of the Freshwater Copepod Mastigodiaptomus ha Cervantes, 2020 (Copepoda): A Case of Dispersal?

The diversity of freshwater zooplankton is still little known in Mexico, particularly reference to insular communities. Diaptomid copepods (Crustacea: Copepoda: Calanoida) are a widespread group worldwide, and Mexico harbours high diaptomid diversity. Based on recent sampling Caribbean Island we present the first record copepod from an island ecosystem. It shows well-known tendency Neotropical diaptomids have restricted distributional patterns levels endemism. species recorded, Mastigodiaptomus ha (Cervantes-Martínez, 2020) appears distribution Yucatan Peninsula (YP), as well. In order explore potential differences between continental populations this species, its phenetic genetic was analysed by performing morphological comparisons also exploring habitat conditions sequences (CO1 gene). Our analysis revealed low (average = 0.33%) divergence both populations; likewise, morphology closely resemble each other these two populations. M. suggests early common origin geological history YP.