A New Integrated Approach to Taxonomy: The Fusion of Molecular and Morphological Systematics with Type Material in Benthic Foraminifera

A robust and consistent taxonomy underpins the use of fossil material in palaeoenvironmental research and long-term assessment of biodiversity. This study presents a new integrated taxonomic protocol for benthic foraminifera by unequivocally reconciling the traditional taxonomic name to a specific genetic type. To implement this protocol, a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene is used in combination with 16 quantitative morphometric variables to fully characterise the benthic foraminiferal species concept of Elphidium williamsoni Haynes, 1973. A combination of live contemporary topotypic specimens, original type specimens and specimens of genetic outliers were utilised in this study. Through a series of multivariate statistical tests we illustrate that genetically characterised topotype specimens are morphologically congruent with both the holotype and paratype specimens of E. williamsoni Haynes, 1973. We present the first clear link between morphologically characterised type material and the unique SSU rRNA genetic type of E. williamsoni. This example provides a standard framework for the benthic foraminifera which bridges the current discontinuity between molecular and morphological lines of evidence, allowing integration with the traditional Linnaean roots of nomenclature to offer a new prospect for taxonomic stability.一套严谨统一的分类学体系，是古环境研究中利用化石材料以及开展生物多样性长期评估的核心支撑。本研究针对底栖有孔虫（benthic foraminifera）提出全新的整合分类学方案，通过明确将传统分类学名与特定遗传型进行统一匹配。为落实该方案，本研究采用小亚基核糖体RNA（small subunit ribosomal RNA, SSU rRNA）基因片段结合16项定量形态测量变量，对1973年Haynes定名的威廉森希望虫（Elphidium williamsoni Haynes, 1973）的物种概念进行全面表征。本研究整合使用了现生顶模标本、原始模式标本与遗传偏离型标本三类实验材料。通过一系列多元统计检验，本研究证实：经遗传表征的顶模标本，在形态上与1973年Haynes定名的威廉森希望虫的正模标本及副模标本均高度吻合。本研究首次明确建立了经形态表征的模式标本与威廉森希望虫特有的SSU rRNA遗传型之间的关联。该案例为底栖有孔虫提供了一套标准化研究框架，填补了当前分子证据与形态证据之间的研究断层，使其可与传统林奈命名体系相结合，为实现分类学稳定性提供了全新的发展前景。