Phylogeny and phylogeography of the genus Patella based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data

Although some molecular phylogenies of Patella species have been published in recent years, unresolved questions concerning the phylogeny and taxonomy of this genus still remain. We sequenced the mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA for all Patella species (Patella vulgata, Patella depressa, Patella candei, Patella caerulea, Patella lugubris, Patella ferruginea, Patella pellucida and the continental and Macaronesian forms of Patella ulyssiponensis and Patella rustica) and Cymbula safiana. Our results revealed the occurrence of five strongly supported clades, although relationships between these are not well supported. According to our data P. vulgata is a genetically distinct lineage and the close phylogenetic relationship between this species and P. depressa, found in previous mitochondrial DNA studies, is not supported. The Mediterranean Sea and the Macaronesian Islands seem to have played an important role in the speciation and diversification of this genus, although different clades show different phylogeographic patterns. Our dataset point to the necessity of a taxonomic revision, as P. candei is paraphyletic relative to P. lugubris.