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da Rocha RM. Ascidian biodiversity in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Genesis 2023; 61:e23558. [PMID: 37804050 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
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Moreno-Dávila B, Huato-Soberanis L, Gómez-Gutiérrez J, Galván-Tirado C, Sánchez C, Alcoverro T, Balart EF, Turon X. Taxonomic identity of Distapliastylifera (Tunicata, Ascidiacea), a new arrival to the eastern Pacific displaying invasive behavior in the Gulf of California, Mexico. Zookeys 2023; 1157:109-125. [PMID: 37234953 PMCID: PMC10208407 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1157.95986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A colonial ascidian of the genus Distaplia caused a mass mortality of the pen shell Atrinamaura (Sowerby, 1835) during June 2016 in the southwest of the Gulf of California (Mexico), with a significant socio-economic cost. Tentatively identified in previous works as Distapliacf.stylifera, a precise taxonomic determination was still lacking. In the present work, based on a detailed morphological study, it is confirmed that this aggressive species is Distapliastylifera (Kowalevsky, 1874). Originally described from the Red Sea, the species currently has a wide circumtropical distribution (with the exception of the Eastern Pacific to date) and is reported as introduced in parts of its range. The present account thus represents an important range extension of this species. However, when revising the original description and later observations, the reported variability of several characters makes it likely that the binomen is in fact a complex of species, as is common in other ascidians with wide distributions. A complete morphological and genetic study including populations from the entire range of distribution would be necessary to settle the status of D.stylifera. Taxonomic uncertainties hinder a correct interpretation of biogeographical patterns and inference on the origin of the studied population. Nevertheless, the known introduction potential of the species, coupled with an explosive growth in an anthropized environment, and the lack of any previous reports in the Eastern Pacific, strongly suggest that the investigated population represents yet another instance of ascidian introduction. From the point of view of management, its invasive behavior is cause for great concern and warrants mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betzabé Moreno-Dávila
- Programa de Ecología Pesquera, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, C.P. 23096, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | - Leonardo Huato-Soberanis
- Programa de Ecología Pesquera, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, C.P. 23096, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | - Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Plancton y Ecología Marina, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, C.P. 23096, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | | | - Carlos Sánchez
- CONACYT, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | - Teresa Alcoverro
- Departamento de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | - Eduardo F. Balart
- Programa de Ecología Pesquera, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, C.P. 23096, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
| | - Xavier Turon
- Departamento de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, BCS, Mexico
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