Morphological and Genetic Assessment of Invasive Corbicula Lineages in Southern South America: A Case Study in Argentina

• Autores: Hünicken, Leandro A; Paolucci, Esteban M; Lavinia, Pablo D; Sylvester, Francisco
• Año de publicación: 2024
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Materia: Ciencias Biológicas; Corbicula; morphology; COI; Argentina; distribution; Ciencias Biológicas
• Institución: Universidad Nacional de Río Negro

Fil: Hünicken, Leandro A. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
Fil: Paolucci, Esteban M. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’, Av. Ángel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires C1405DJR, Argentina
Fil: Lavinia, Pablo D. Laboratorio de Investigación y Conservación de la Biodiversidad (UNRN-InCoBIO), Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, Viedma, Argentina; Universidad Nacional de Río Negro, CIT Río Negro (UNRN-CONICET), Viedma, Argentina
Fil: Sylvester, Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina
The broad global distribution of freshwater clams belonging to the genus Corbicula is driven by multiple hermaphroditic lineages. These lineages, characterized by shared morphological traits and phenotypic plasticity, pose challenges to morphological identification. Genetic markers, such as the mitochondrial COI gene, play a crucial role in delineating these lineages and their ranges. Morphotypes represent observed phenotypic variations, while lineages are defined based on genetic markers. Here, we comprehensively review Corbicula’s distribution in Argentina, discriminate extant lineages based on both morphological and genetic (COI) data, and describe variations in internal and external morphologies using 15 Argentine populations. Genetic analyses identified two mitochondrial lineages: the AR morphotype (FW5 haplotype) and CS morphotype (FW17 haplotype). Strikingly, despite having similar vectors, origins, and invasive stages, Corbicula lineages exhibit virtually segregated distributions. However, mitochondrial haplotypes are found in sympatry mainly in northeastern Argentina where individuals with intermediate morphotypes exist, suggesting the presence of hybrids due to maternal genome retention. These findings contribute to the clarification of the identity and distribution of Corbicula lineages in Argentina, where the genus has been found for over half a century. Similar studies are needed in other areas to better understand the invasion patterns of this successful and adaptable group.
The broad global distribution of freshwater clams belonging to the genus Corbicula is driven by multiple hermaphroditic lineages. These lineages, characterized by shared morphological traits and phenotypic plasticity, pose challenges to morphological identification. Genetic markers, such as the mitochondrial COI gene, play a crucial role in delineating these lineages and their ranges. Morphotypes represent observed phenotypic variations, while lineages are defined based on genetic markers. Here, we comprehensively review Corbicula’s distribution in Argentina, discriminate extant lineages based on both morphological and genetic (COI) data, and describe variations in internal and external morphologies using 15 Argentine populations. Genetic analyses identified two mitochondrial lineages: the AR morphotype (FW5 haplotype) and CS morphotype (FW17 haplotype). Strikingly, despite having similar vectors, origins, and invasive stages, Corbicula lineages exhibit virtually segregated distributions. However, mitochondrial haplotypes are found in sympatry mainly in northeastern Argentina where individuals with intermediate morphotypes exist, suggesting the presence of hybrids due to maternal genome retention. These findings contribute to the clarification of the identity and distribution of Corbicula lineages in Argentina, where the genus has been found for over half a century. Similar studies are needed in other areas to better understand the invasion patterns of this successful and adaptable group.