An integrative approach to a revision of the freshwater mussel genus Songkhlanaia (Bivalvia, Unionidae), with the description of a new species

Abstract

Mainland Southeast Asia, also known as Indochina, is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot for freshwater mussels, hosting a significant number of species and exhibiting high levels of endemism. Recently, the monotypic genus Songkhlanaia was described from the Songkhla Lake Basin in southern Thailand. In this study, two additional lineages are revealed, S. moreleti comb. nov. and S. songkhramensis sp. nov., from the Mekong Basin through an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological characters and molecular phylogenetic analyses. The multi-locus phylogenetic inference supported the monophyly of the genus and further elucidated the sister relationship between S. moreleti and the new species, and with S. tamodienica positioned as a basal lineage. Pairwise uncorrected COI p-distances among these three species also supported the species validity and ranged from 4.2% to 8.24%. Notably, S. songkhramensis sp. nov. and S. moreleti exhibit similarities in shell morphology; however, the new species can be differentiated by more robust pseudocardinal teeth. Both species are distinguishable from S. tamodienica by their approximately twice larger size, more inflated shells, and more prominent, roughened, irregular growth lines on the shell surface. Furthermore, based on the current data, these three species are recognized as endemic and are restricted to disjunct biogeographic areas in Indochina: S. tamodienica in the Songkhla Lake Basin in southern Thailand, S. moreleti in the Tonle Sap and Lower Mekong basins, and S. songkhramensis sp. nov. in the Songkhram Basin and its nearby tributaries of the Middle Mekong Basin.