Meeting Abstract

P2.200  Saturday, Jan. 5  Population genetic diversity of the cryptogenic invasive Ciona intestinalis sp A on the Pacific coast of America GUERRA, V. I.*; COHEN, C. S.; Romberg Tiburon Center, Department of Biology, San Francisco State University ; Romberg Tiburon Center, Department of Biology, San Francisco State University vguerracanedo@gmail.com

The invasive basal chordate Ciona intestinalis sp. A has invaded coast regions around the world, including the temperate coasts of the Pacific side of America. Little is known about the genetic diversity of coastal invasive species of central South America, and few marine non-native species have been recorded to date, potentially due to lack of study or for other reasons including differences in amount of boat traffic. We characterize the population genetic structure of the globally invasive Ciona intestinalis sp A in two temperate coastal regions of the Pacific coast of America that differ in boat traffic (transport vector) and available suitable environment for establishment. We sampled 8 sites (n=172 individuals) in 2 regions north and south of the equator, including 4 sites in United States of America and 4 sites in Peru. Phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) genes confirmed that the sub species of Ciona intestinalis found in the sampled sites in Peru were of Type A and included 19 haplotypes with haplotype diversity per population ranging from 0.714 to 0.937. Genetic differentiation was observed between, but not within, regions. Within region similarities may reflect common sourcing or frequent transport among sites. Additional loci may provide further resolution among sites. We are now using a highly polymorphic nuclear gene involved in a pre-zygotic reproductive mechanism to address questions within and between regions.