Investigating the cryptogenic status of the sea squirt Didemnum perlucidum (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) in Australia based on a molecular study of its global distribution

Dias, Joana y Rocha, Rosana y Godwin, Scott y Tovar Hernández, María Ana y Delahoz, Maria y McKirdy, Simon y De Lestang, Paul y McDonald, Justin y Snow, Michael (2016) Investigating the cryptogenic status of the sea squirt Didemnum perlucidum (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) in Australia based on a molecular study of its global distribution. Aquatic invasions, 11 (3). pp. 239-245. ISSN 18185487

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URL o página oficial: http://doi.org/10.3391/ai.2016.11.3.02

Resumen

Didemnid species are assessed as species with a high invasive potential for Australia and as such are listed as target species for both state and national monitoring programs. The presence of the sea squirt Didemnum perlucidum (Monniot, 1983) was first documented in Australia in 2010 and has since then been detected extensively throughout the state of Western Australia and in the Northern Territory. These detections have raised important questions as to the origin and potential impact of this species in Australia. The current study was initiated to review the current known global geographic range of D. perlucidum and to obtain specimens that could support molecular studies aimed at evaluating the potential origin of this species in Australia. Characterization of 5’ COI mitochondrial sequences from 286 specimens revealed a remarkably low level of genetic diversity across the current known range of D. perlucidum and the existence of one main widespread genetic haplotype. Such findings suggest that all locations sampled in this study may in fact represent introductions of D. perlucidum and that the natural native range of the species remains unknown. Our demonstration that specimens (n=187) originating from across a broad expanse of the Australian West Coast were comprised of a single haplotype also lends support to the hypothesis that D. perlucidum is a species that has been introduced recently into Australia. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that D. perlucium distribution in Australia is mostly confined to artificial structures, it has displayed invasive characteristics, and its presence is now being detected across an increasingly wide geographical area. Given the demonstrated low level of genetic COI variation across its known global distribution, lack of clarity around its native range, and limited availability of data on this species globally, we recognize the requirement for further work to more fully elucidate the exact origins and patterns of distribution of D. perlucidum in Australia. This study represents the most comprehensive mapping of the current global distribution of D. perlucidum conducted to date and will hopefully motivate further studies aimed at elucidating this species biology, origin, high-risk routes and impacts.

Tipo de elemento:

Article

Palabras claves no controlados:

Didemnidae, Cytochrome c oxidase I, Colonial sea squirt, Introduced

Divisiones:

Ciencias Biológicas

Usuario depositante:

Editor Repositorio

Creadores:

Creador	Email	ORCID
Dias, Joana	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO
Rocha, Rosana	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO
Godwin, Scott	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO
Tovar Hernández, María Ana	maria_ana_tovar@yahoo.com	orcid.org/0000-0002-5263-2830
Delahoz, Maria	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO
McKirdy, Simon	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO
De Lestang, Paul	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO
McDonald, Justin	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO
Snow, Michael	NO ESPECIFICADO	NO ESPECIFICADO