Molecular insights into the ctenophore genus Beroe in Europe: new species, spreading invaders

Authors

Mattias L. Johansson, University of Windsor
Tamara A. Shiganova, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology Russian Academy of Science
Halldis Ringvold
Alexandra N. Stupnikova, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology Russian Academy of Science
Daniel D. Heath, University of Windsor
Hugh J. MacIsaac, University of Windsor

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Publication Title

Journal of Heredity

Volume

109

Issue

5

First Page

520

Keywords

cytochrome oxidase (COI), DNA barcoding, gelatinous zooplankton, invasive species, internal transcribed spacer (ITS)

Last Page

529

Abstract

The genus Beroe Browne, 1756 (Ctenophora, Beroidae) occurs worldwide, with 25 currentlydescribed species. Because the genus is poorly studied, the definitive number of species is uncertain. Recently, a possible new Beroe species was suggested based on internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences from samples collected in Svalbard, Norway. Another species, Beroe ovata, was introduced to Europe from North America, initially in the Black Sea and subsequently (and possibly secondarily) into the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas. In areas where ctenophores have been introduced, they have often had significant detrimental ecological effects. The potential for other cryptic and/or undescribed Beroe species and history of spread of some species in the genus give reason for additional study. When alive, morphological hallmarks may be challenging to spot and photograph owing to the animals’ transparency and near-constant motion. We sampled and analyzed 109 putative Beroe specimens from Europe, using morphological and molecular approaches. DNA analyses were conducted using cytochrome oxidase 1 and internal transcribed spacer sequences and, together with published sequences from GenBank, phylogenetic relationships of the genus were explored. Our study suggests the presence of at least 5 genetic lineages of Beroe in Europe, of which 3 could be assigned to known species: Beroe gracilis Künne 1939; Beroe cucumis Fabricius, 1780; and Beroe ovata sensu Mayer, 1912. The other 2 lineages (here provisionally named Beroe “norvegica” and Beroe “anatoliensis”) did not clearly coincide with any known species and might therefore reflect new species, but confirmation of this requires further study.

DOI

10.1093/jhered/esy026

Recommended Citation

Johansson, Mattias L.; Shiganova, Tamara A.; Ringvold, Halldis; Stupnikova, Alexandra N.; Heath, Daniel D.; and MacIsaac, Hugh J.. (2018). Molecular insights into the ctenophore genus Beroe in Europe: new species, spreading invaders. Journal of Heredity, 109 (5), 520-529.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/glierpub/195