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A Global Invader Is Possibly Two: First Genetic Investigation of Native Populations of the Estuarine Bivalve Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Dreissenidae)

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Abstract

Mytilopsis leucophaeata is an estuarine bivalve native from the Gulf of Mexico and possibly part of the eastern USA, which invaded many regions around the globe. Despite the previous discovery that two genetic lineages of this species exist, one comprising the northeastern USA and Eurasia and another having invaded South America, there were no genetic data about specimens from native areas. We reveal for the first time the COI signatures of two native populations of M. leucophaeata, one in the eastern coast of Florida, another in its western coast, besides analyzing the nuclear gene 28S. The COI sequences from South America (Venezuela and Brazil) are similar to those from Florida, mainly to the population from the western coast, whereas the clade composed of sequences from NE USA and Eurasia diverges by 2.4–3.2% from remaining sequences. The 28S tree also confirmed the distinction of this lineage. We suspect that the cold-tolerant lineage may represent a distinct species originated in the mid-eastern or NE USA, possibly derived from glaciations or the formation of the Labrador Current, and having colonized Eurasia after human introductions. Based on data about ship trades, we also raise the hypothesis that the invasion in South America was composed of two stages, with an initial invasion in Venezuela or nearby Caribbean countries, followed by a secondary invasion in SE Brazil, although requiring further studies. These results may alter deeply our understanding about the invasion of M. leucophaeata around the globe.

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Acknowledgements

We are very grateful to Dr. Amanda Bemis and Dr. John Slapcinsky (FLMNH) for the loan of samples of Mytilopsis cf. sallei, Dr. Yolanda Villacampa (NMNH) for photographing some shells of Mytilopsis leucophaeata, Dr. José H. Leal (BMSM) for providing support for the research conducted by MRF in Fort Myers, Dr. Marcelo H. Prado and MSc. Danilo Gonçalves (IME) for providing access to the SEM equipment, two anonymous reviewers for improving an initial version of the manuscript, and the section of Herpetology of MNRJ for sharing the available infrastructure and proper equipment during initial stages of the research.

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  1. Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal Do Estado Do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Av. Pasteur, 458, Rio de Janeiro, Urca, 22290-240, Brazil

    Maurício R. Fernandes, Fabiano Salgueiro & Igor C. Miyahira

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  1. Maurício R. Fernandes
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Correspondence to Maurício R. Fernandes.

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Fernandes, M.R., Salgueiro, F. & Miyahira, I.C. A Global Invader Is Possibly Two: First Genetic Investigation of Native Populations of the Estuarine Bivalve Mytilopsis leucophaeata (Dreissenidae). Estuaries and Coasts 45, 812–826 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-021-01007-z

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