1,721,011 research outputs found
Alien Travel Companies: The Case of Two Sea Slugs and One Bryozoan in the Mediterranean Sea
No full textMediterranean marine fauna is constantly changing due to the entry of non-indigenous (NI) species and the loss of endemic biodiversity. In this framework, it is very important to monitor this constant change and investigate possible new pathways of dispersion. Marinas and ports are considered key stations to detect and study some important ecological aspects, such as NI and invasive species, the effects of climate change, and pollution. Here, we reported the case of a group of NI species that presumably reached the Mediterranean Sea together, each of them being ecologically associated with one another. The bryozoan Amathia verticillate and the sea slugs Favorinus ghanensis and Polycerella emertoni were found in the shallow waters of Fezzano’s marina in the gulf of La Spezia (Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean Sea). Molecular analyses were carried out to exclude cryptic diversity and to investigate the phylogenetic relationships occurring between closely related taxa. The spreading of these two NI sea slugs into the Mediterranean Sea was confirmed and the first record of P. emertoni from the Ligurian Sea reported. These findings shed some light on the poorly known ecology of these species that could be useful for future monitoring and conservation strategies
Less rare than we thought: two new localities for Piseinotecus soussi Tamsouri, Carmona, Moukrim & Cervera, 2014 along the Tyrrhenian coast.
Full text linkThe geographic range of Piseinotecus soussi Tamsouri, Carmona, Moukrim & Cervera, 2014 is here updated, since it was found in two new localities along the Tyrrhenian coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This species was previously recorded in Mediterranean basin only from the Ionian Sea (Apulia). With this paper, the range of distribution of this aeolid sea slug is considerably extended. Furthermore, to confirm the identity of specimens recorded, a DNA Barcoding approach was carried out using the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) as it is the mostly used barcoder marker in Nudibranchs
The southernmost record of Felimida elegantula (Philippi, 1844) (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia)
Full text linkThe southernmost record of the Mediterranean nudibranch Felimida elegantula (Philippi, 1844) is reported here. A single specimen, with a colour pattern that hampered an easy morphological identification, was collected at the Kerkennah Islands (Tunisia). DNA-barcoding analysis (with the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genetic marker) unambiguously confirmed its identification, and radular and anatomical features conformed with those previously described. With this record, the chromatic polymorphism of F. elegantula is demonstrated to be extremely large and the known range of the species is extended to the African coast of Tunisia
A new Dondice Marcus Er. 1958 (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Mediterranean Sea reveals interesting insights into the phylogenetic history of a group of Facelinidae taxa
No full textThe diversity of Mediterranean nudibranchs has yet to be thoroughly studied: new species are constantly described, and molecular approaches have revealed some cryptic species. A new facelinid species has been discovered based on specimens collected from the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Integrative results of molecular analyses and of anatomical investigations support the description of Dondice trainitoi sp. nov. The characteristic chromatic body pattern and the black epithelium covering the masticatory jaws allow an unambiguous identification of the new taxon. Preliminary phylogenetic analyses based on multi-locus molecular markers (nuclear H3 gene and mitochondrial markers 16S rDNA and COI) surprisingly revealed paraphyly of the genus Dondice and the need of further studies including more taxa assigned to the currently accepted family Facelinidae. Furthermore, following an integrative taxonomy approach, considerations on the ecological behaviour characterizing most of the species involved in this study provide useful insights for understanding the evolutionary history of this facelinid group
<i>Nemesignis</i>, a Replacement Name for <i>Nemesis</i> Furfaro & Mariottini, 2021 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Myrrhinidae), Preoccupied by <i>Nemesis</i> Risso, 1826 (Crustacea, Copepoda)
No full textThe genus Nemesis Furfaro & Mariottini, 2021, was recently introduced for an independent lineage of aeolid nudibranchs, and Dondice banyulensis Portmann & Sandmeier, 1960, established as its type species. Anyway, the presence of a senior homonym, Nemesis Risso, 1826, was evidently missed. In fact, in 1826, Risso established this genus for a group of Copepoda (Arthropoda, Crustacea) and according to the Principle of Priority (ICZN) only the senior homonym may be used as a valid name. Therefore, a new replacement name is here proposed. Furthermore, the genus name Nanuca Er. Marcus, 1957, has priority over Dondice Er. Marcus, 1958 and consequently, the species in this clade should be classified under Nanuca, mostly as new combinations
DNA barcoding unveiling rare species: the case of Pruvotfolia pselliotes (Labbé, 1923) (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) in the Mediterranean Sea
Full text linkThe Mediterranean Sea is a hot spot for marine biodiversity, and this is particularly evident taking into consideration the diversity observed in many animal groups, among them the Molluscs. In the last decade, several works have revealed a high rate of cryptic diversity characterizing the Molluscan fauna of the Mediterranean Sea and an increasing number of endemic and/or new species inhabiting this semi-enclosed basin have been recorded or described. The DNA-barcoding method is considered an essential step in the integrative taxonomy applications, to unravel cryptic diversity and for species identification. Here we report the case of DNA-barcoding technique applied to identify a nudibranch (Heterobranchia) collected from the Adriatic Sea, in the Bay of Kotor (Montenegro), for which a standard morphological identification was not possible. Mediterranean specimen belonging to Pruvotfolia pselliotes (Labbé, 1923) is for the first time molecularly identified and its COI DNA sequence compared with the one of an individual collected from the type locality. In addition, this is the first verified report of this species from the Adriatic Sea. Finally, the potential of using DNA-barcoding is here discussed, together with the habitat and the geographical distribution of this uncommon species
Aliens in changing seascapes: a newly reported non-native sacoglossan (Mollusca, Heterobranchia) in the western Mediterranean Sea
Full text linkWe report the discovery of the Indo-Pacific sacoglossan Elysia nealae Ostergaard, 1955 from northeastern Sardinia (Central Tyrrhenian Sea). This is the first record of this species in the western Mediterranean Sea and only the second for the whole of the Mediterranean Sea following a report from Cape Epanomi, Greece. We discuss the identification of this species as well as the expansion of its geographical range. Data on the ecology and behavior of E. nealae leads us to hypothesize that the increase in the Mediterranean’s water temperature due to climate change has favored this non-native species and contributed to its expanded distribution
Looking at the Nudibranch Family Myrrhinidae (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) from a Mitochondrial ‘2D Folding Structure’ Point of View
Full text linkIntegrative taxonomy is an evolving field of multidisciplinary studies often utilised to elucidate phylogenetic reconstructions that were poorly understood in the past. The systematics of many taxa have been resolved by combining data from different research approaches, i.e., molecular, ecological, behavioural, morphological and chemical. Regarding molecular analysis, there is currently a search for new genetic markers that could be diagnostic at different taxonomic levels and that can be added to the canonical ones. In marine Heterobranchia, the most widely used mitochondrial markers, COI and 16S, are usually analysed by comparing the primary sequence. The 16S rRNA molecule can be folded into a 2D secondary structure that has been poorly exploited in the past study of heterobranchs, despite 2D molecular analyses being sources of possible diagnostic characters. Comparison of the results from the phylogenetic analyses of a concatenated (the nuclear H3 and the mitochondrial COI and 16S markers) dataset (including 30 species belonging to eight accepted genera) and from the 2D folding structure analyses of the 16S rRNA from the type species of the genera investigated demonstrated the diagnostic power of this RNA molecule to reveal the systematics of four genera belonging to the family Myrrhinidae (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia). The “molecular morphological” approach to the 16S rRNA revealed to be a powerful tool to delimit at both species and genus taxonomic levels and to be a useful way of recovering information that is usually lost in phylogenetic analyses. While the validity of the genera Godiva, Hermissenda and Phyllodesmium are confirmed, a new genus is necessary and introduced for Dondice banyulensis, Nemesis gen. nov. and the monospecific genus Nanuca is here synonymised with Dondice, with Nanuca sebastiani transferred into Dondice as Dondice sebastiani comb. nov
A DNA-barcoding approach to the phenotypic diversity of Mediterranean species of Felimare Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1967 (Mollusca: Gastropoda), with a preliminary phylogenetic analysis
Full text linkABSTRACT: The chromodorid nudibranchs Felimare tricolor (Cantraine, 1835), F. fontandraui (Pruvot-Fol, 1951) and F. picta (Shultz in Philippi, 1836) typically show highly variable colour patterns that are misleading for species identification. Their taxonomy has long been confused, and their identification can be difficult if based only on morphological characters. We carried out molecular genetic analyses using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rDNA markers on Mediterranean samples of these three taxa representing a large part of their range of chromatic variation. Results proved the usefulness of the DNA-barcoding approach in assessing species delimitation in this group, and in identification of specimens with body colours not clear for species recognition. We inferred preliminary phylogenetic relationships among one third of the currently recognised species of Felimare: they indicated with good support sister species relationship among Felimare tricolor and F. fontandraui, and suggested (with low support) potential relationships among F. picta, F. verdensis, F. californiensis and F. agassizi. © 2016 Unione Zoologica Italiana
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