Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Species Delineation And The Identification Of Evolutionarily Significant Units: Lessons From The Freshwater Mussel Genus Potamilus (Bivalvia: Unionidae), Kevin J. Roe, Charles Lydeard

Kevin J. Roe

Accurate identification of biological entities is critical to the timely and efficient preservation of biodiversity. Concepts that define segments of biological diversity--species and evolutionarily significant units (ESUs)--should reflect our current knowledge of the biological world. Conflation of different hierarchical definitions of taxa has the potential to obscure distinct biological entities in need of protection. The concept of the ESU has been criticized because it includes within its definition distinct biological entities that otherwise would be recognized as species. Herein we evaluate several versions of the evolutionary significant unit concept and provide as a case study an analysis of geographic variation …