International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 128-140 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 128 Review Article Open Access Molecular Systematics of Invertebrates in Response to Geological Changes Qibin Xu , Jun Wang Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: qibin.xu@cuixi.org International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 2024, Vol.14, No.3 doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0013 Received: 01 Mar., 2024 Accepted: 10 Apr., 2024 Published: 01 May, 2024 Copyright © 2024 Xu and Wang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Xu Q.B., and Wang J., 2024, Molecular systematics of invertebrates in response to geological changes, International Journal of Molecular Zoology, 14(3): 128-140 (doi: 10.5376/ijmz.2024.14.0013) Abstract Geological changes have had a profound impact on the molecular systematics of invertebrates, driving genetic and phenotypic diversity, and the combination of molecular data with traditional morphological methods has enhanced researchers' understanding of invertebrate evolution and adaptation. This study summarizes the following key findings: Invertebrate populations exhibit significant phenotypic variation due to epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and histone modification. The rate of molecular evolution in invertebrates is significantly affected by generation time, and species with shorter generation times show higher rates of molecular evolution. Freshwater invertebrates exhibit genetic and phenotypic plasticity in response to climate change, with evidence of local adaptation and evolutionary changes in traits such as phenology and body size. The molecular phylogeny of labiodon bryozoa constructs in New Zealand provides insights into the evolutionary history and diversification rates of invertebrate species. Molecular markers reveal the presence of recessive species in the invertebrate complex, challenging the traditional view of cosmopolitanism and highlighting the importance of genetic differentiation in understanding species diversity. This study aims to elucidate how geological events affect the genetic and phenotypic diversity of invertebrate populations and how these changes are reflected in their molecular evolution and systematics. Keywords Molecular systematics; Invertebrates; Geological changes; Epigenetic variation; Cryptic species 1 Introduction Molecular systematics has emerged as a pivotal tool in understanding the evolutionary relationships and biodiversity of invertebrates. By analyzing genetic material, researchers can uncover the phylogenetic relationships among species, which often remain obscured by morphological similarities or differences. This approach has been particularly transformative in the study of symbiotic relationships, such as those between coral reef invertebrates and their endosymbiotic dinoflagellates, revealing complex evolutionary histories and adaptive radiations. Additionally, molecular systematics has provided insights into the evolutionary and plastic responses of freshwater invertebrates to climate change, highlighting the role of genetic and phenotypic plasticity in adaptation (Stoks et al., 2013). The integration of molecular data with fossil records has also been crucial in reconciling discrepancies between molecular and morphological evolutionary rates, offering a more comprehensive understanding of macroevolutionary patterns (Sansom and Wills, 2013; Condamine et al., 2016). Geological changes, such as climatic shifts and tectonic events, have profoundly influenced the evolution and distribution of invertebrates. For instance, the Miocene-Pliocene transition, characterized by significant climatic changes and low CO2 levels, triggered adaptive radiations in symbiotic dinoflagellates, which in turn affected their invertebrate hosts. Similarly, the reduction in glacier cover due to global warming has led to consistent changes in the functional diversity and community assembly of river invertebrates across different biogeographic regions (Brown et al., 2017). These geological changes not only impact the physical environment but also drive evolutionary processes, leading to diversification and adaptation in invertebrate populations. The fossil record, despite its biases, provides critical data for understanding these macroevolutionary transitions and the impact of past environmental changes on invertebrate diversification (Sansom and Wills, 2013; Condamine et al., 2016). This study aims to analyze the phylogenetic relationships among invertebrate species using molecular data; examine the impact of historical geological events, such as climatic shifts and tectonic activities, on the diversification and adaptation of invertebrates; integrate molecular and fossil data to provide a comprehensive
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