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Genetic analysis reveals multiple cryptic invasive species of the hydrozoan genus Cordylophora

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Abstract

Understanding the patterns and dynamics of biological invasions is a crucial prerequisite to predicting and mitigating their potential ecological and economic impacts. Unfortunately, in many cases such understanding is limited not only by ignorance of invasion history, but also by uncertainty surrounding the ecology, physiology, and even systematics of the invasive taxa themselves. The invasive, colonial euryhaline hydroid Cordylophora has invaded multiple regions outside of its native Ponto-Caspian range. However, extensive morphological and ecological plasticity has prevented consensus on both species-level classification within the genus and the environmental conditions conducive to establishment. The goal of this research was to explore the invasive history and species composition of the genus Cordylophora through molecular analyses. We addressed both issues using DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial loci [the small subunit 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI)] and one nuclear locus (28S large nuclear rRNA), generated from 27 invasive Cordylophora populations collected throughout the global range of the taxon. Phylogenetic analysis and comparisons of genetic distances between populations suggest the presence of multiple cryptic species within the genus. This conclusion is further supported by the observation of significantly different habitat preferences between invasive lineages. Geographic distribution of lineages is consistent with the introduction of multiple lineages to some non-native regions, indicating that repeated introductions may contribute to the current global distribution of Cordylophora. Applying molecular and morphological analyses to additional populations of Cordylophora is likely to assist in clarifying the taxonomy of this genus and in providing a better understanding of the invasive history of this hydroid.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful for support from the G.W. Aldeen Memorial Fund and Wheaton Alumni Association from Wheaton College, IL. We also thank Drs. Busch, Page, Kennett and Scott (Wheaton College) for their assistance. Thanks go to Sarah Baxter, Clifford Cunningham, Doug Rorem, Dale Calder, Terry Marsh, Dan Minchin (assistance in Ireland), John Chapman (samples from Oregon), Ilona B. Muskó (samples from Hungry), Beccy Mant (samples from UK), Andy Chang (samples from Antioch and Pitsburg CA), Matt Duggan, Larry Harris, Ward Kriegbaum, Parry Macdonald, Emily Mindrebo, Esther Papp and Hallie Tidwell for their assistance with fieldwork. Samples from Chile and France were collected by Horia Galea and deposited in collections of the Muséum d’histoire naturelle de la Ville de Genève; Drs. Galea and Peter Schuchert kindly supplied genomic DNA from these samples. Though this work was reviewed by US EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.

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  1. Cori A. D’Ausilio

    Present address: , 2680 Hartford Avenue, Unit 7, White River Junction, Hartford, VT, 05001, USA

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  1. Biology Department, Wheaton College, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL, 60187, USA

    Nadine C. Folino-Rorem & Cori A. D’Ausilio

  2. Molecular Ecology Research Branch, US EPA, 26 Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA

    John A. Darling

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  1. Nadine C. Folino-Rorem
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Correspondence to Nadine C. Folino-Rorem.

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N. C. Folino-Rorem and J. A. Darling contributed equally to this work.

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Folino-Rorem, N.C., Darling, J.A. & D’Ausilio, C.A. Genetic analysis reveals multiple cryptic invasive species of the hydrozoan genus Cordylophora . Biol Invasions 11, 1869–1882 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-008-9365-4

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