Acta Adriatica, Vol. 64 No. 2, 2023.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.32582/aa.64.2.1
Different but the same: DNA identification reveals a striking colour variability in a Mediterranean eolid sea slug specimen (Mollusca: Nudibranchia)
Giulia Furfaro
; Department of Science and Biological and Environmental Technologies - DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Fabio Vitale
; Museum of Natural History of Salento, Calimera-Lecce, Italy
Alice Tagliabue
; Department of Science and Biological and Environmental Technologies - DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Cataldo Licchelli
; Associazione Salento Sommerso, Lecce, Italy
Paolo Mariottini
; Department of Science, University of ‘Roma Tre’, Rome, Italy
Abstract
A peculiar eolid nudibranch showing an unknown chromatic array was found in a rocky bottom of Santa Maria al Bagno, in the Salento peninsula, Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea). This specimen, initially identified as Piseinotecus sp., was observed in situ and photographed while feeding and laying eggs close to individuals belonging to the Mediterranean Piseinotecus soussi. To assess the identity of this unexpected Piseinotecus ‘white morph’, a DNA identification approach was carried out using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), as it is the molecular marker mostly used to distinguish nudibranchs species. The molecular analysis unambiguously identified this specimen as Piseinotecus soussi and helped to shed lights on the striking intraspecific colour variability characterizing this rare species.
Keywords
Piseinotecidae; Piseinotecus soussi; Intraspecific variability; Ionian Sea; Integrative taxonomy
Hrčak ID:
305868
URI
Publication date:
11.7.2023.
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