Phylogenetic and morphometric differentiation reveal geographic radiation and pseudo-cryptic speciation in a mangrove crab from the Indo-West Pacific.

The presence of boundaries to dispersal has been recently documented for many Indo-West Pacific (IWP) species with planktonic propagules and a widespread distribution. We studied the phylogeography of the mangrove crab Neosarmatium meinerti (Brachyura: Sesarmidae) and the phylogenetic relationship to its presumed sister species N. fourmanoiri in the IWP in order to compare intraspecific with interspecific diversity. Portions of the mitochondrial genes 16S and CoxI were sequenced for 23 specimens of N. meinerti and 5 N. fourmanoiri, while a fragment of the 28S was obtained for a subset of specimens. Genetic data are supplemented by morphometric and based on 37 adult males of N. meinerti and 9 males of N. fourmanoiri. The conserved nuclear 28S reveals the existence of a genetic break between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Otherwise, mitochondrial genes as well as morphometry clearly support the presence of a species complex within N. meinerti composed by four well structured and geographically defined lineages: East African coast; western Indian Ocean islands; South East Asia; and Australia.