Short Communication

Genetic variability of the Lessepsian migrant mussel Brachidontes pharaonis (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in Tunisia

Published in: African Journal of Marine Science
Volume 40 , issue 2 , 2018 , pages: 211–217

DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2018.1476265

Author(s): M Antit UR11ES12 Biologie de la Reproduction et du Développement animal, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Tunisia , N Amor KSU Mammals Research Chair, Department of Zoology, Saudi Arabia , J Urra Oceanographic Center of Málaga–Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Spain , AN Alagaili KSU Mammals Research Chair, Department of Zoology, Saudi Arabia , S Farjallah Unité de Recherche de Biologie Intégrative et Ecologie Évolutive et Fonctionnelle des Milieux aquatiques, Faculté des Sciences Tunis, Tunisia

Keywords: founder effect , invasive species , Mediterranean Sea , mitochondrial genes , phylogenetic trees , population genetics

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Abstract

The present study used two mitochondrial markers (16S rRNA and COI) to assess the genetic diversity of a newly founded Lessepsian migrant mussel, Brachidontes pharaonis, in Tunisian waters. The species appears to be restricted to only one population in Rades Harbour, in the northern part of the country. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the monophyly of B. pharaonis in Tunisia. Both molecular markers revealed high genetic variability of the B. pharaonis population. Haplotype networks and demographic analyses confirmed the recent expansion events within this population. Multiple human-mediated introduction events involving several founder populations and intensive population growth rates are probably the main causes of the high polymorphism observed within this invasive mollusc.

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