Novel insights into the phylogeographic patterns of ascidians fouling Greek mussel cultures
Geladakis, G.; Papaioannou, C.; Kommata, V.; Lattos, A.; Papadopoulos, D.K.; Giantsis, I.A.; Theodorou, J.A.; Batargias, C. (2025). Novel insights into the phylogeographic patterns of ascidians fouling Greek mussel cultures. Mar. Biodiv. 55(3). https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01534-z
In: Marine Biodiversity. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 1867-1616; e-ISSN 1867-1624, more
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| Authors | | Top |
- Geladakis, G.
- Papaioannou, C.
- Kommata, V.
- Lattos, A.
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- Papadopoulos, D.K.
- Giantsis, I.A.
- Theodorou, J.A., more
- Batargias, C.
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| Abstract |
Biofouling, a major challenge in aquaculture, is intensified by species like ascidians, posing a global threat. In this study, 109 ascidian specimens were collected from four mussel farms in the North Aegean and Ionian Seas (Eastern Mediterranean) in the summer of two consecutive years (2021–2022). Molecular species identification of all individuals was performed using sequence analysis of Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragments. Recovered haplotypes were compared with sequences deposited in GenBank. Network analyses were used to assess the distribution patterns among the COI haplotypes on each species. One native (Phallusia mammillata) and four introduced species (Styela plicata, Microcosmus squamiger, Ciona robusta, Clavelina oblonga) in the Mediterranean Sea were successfully identified by COI-based DNA barcoding, revealing 22 COI haplotypes. Network analyses uncovered different expansion patterns for each species. Results were discussed in the context of phylogeographic distributions within each species, with particular emphasis on the role of human activity in the spread and establishment of these biofoulants. |
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