Molecular identification of Cerithiidae (Mollusca: Gastropod) in Hainan island, China

A number of same species of Cerithiidae are morphologically unlike, whereas most of species in the same genus are morphologically similar and just exhibit subtle differences. It is difficult to identify them by morphological methods alone. DNA barcoding is a modern molecular technique that can be used to identify species accurately, and is particularly helpful when distinguishing morphologically similar species. In order to identify species of Cerithiidae using DNA barcoding technology based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) genes, this study calculated intraspecific and interspecific genetic distance and constructed the phylogenetic trees. A total of 80 COI and 16S rRNA barcode sequences were obtained from 10 species and 3 genera. Some unknown specimens were further identified and a cryptic species may exist in Cerithium traillii, showing that DNA barcoding technology has the potential to discover new species and cryptic species. The phylogenetic trees revealed that all of the cerithiids could converge upon a monophyly with high support values and two genera (Cerithium and Clypeomorus) maybe support the reclassification. It is necessary for traditional morphological methods to combine with the DNA barcoding for classification and identification of Cerithiidae.