Unveiling the Hidden Identities of Botrylloides niger Herdman, 1886 in Tunisian Marinas Using DNA Barcoding | [Pakistan Journal of Zoology • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Intissar Mnasri Afi: Laboratory Diversity Management and Conservation of Biological Systems (LR18ES06), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,Tunis,Tunisia

2. Salma Djebbi: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LR01ES05), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,Tunis,Tunisia

3. Imen Zribi: Laboratory Diversity Management and Conservation of Biological Systems (LR18ES06), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,Tunis,Tunisia

4. Chahnez Naccache: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LR01ES05), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,Tunis,Tunisia

5. Faouzia Charfi Cheikhrouha: Laboratory Diversity Management and Conservation of Biological Systems (LR18ES06), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,Tunis,Tunisia

6. Maha Mezghani Khemakhem: Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (LR01ES05), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,Tunis,Tunisia

7. Rym Zakhama Sraieb: High Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, University of Manouba,Biotech Pôle, BP-66, 2020 Sidi Thabet, Ariana,Tunisia; Laboratory Diversity Management and Conservation of Biological Systems (LR18ES06), Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar,Tunis,Tunisia

Abstract:

During our monitoring of non-indigenous species in four Tunisian marinas between May and December 2019, we discovered a colonial ascidian with striking orange zooids arranged in irregular and elongated rows within a transparent tunic. This species caught our attention due to its vibrant coloration and morphology, which closely resembled that of Botrylloides violaceus and B. leachii. It was found to predominantly grow on fouling invertebrates, solitary ascidians, and other fouling organisms. The species was later identified as Botrylloides niger Herdman, 1886. We provide herein a molecular analysis of B. niger, using the mitochondrial Cytochrome oxidase (COI) gene as a DNA barcode. Sequences comparison of Tunisian B. niger with those deposited in GenBank belonging to different countries showed a percentage of similarity ranging from 80.63% to 100%. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that Tunisian B. niger might have been introduced from the Gulf of Mexico

Page(s): 2421-2428

DOI: 10.17582/journal.pjz/20230505110532

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Zoology, Volume: 57, Issue: 5, Year: 2025

Keywords:

mitochondrial DNA , Phylogeny , Molecular analysis , Botrylloides genus , Nonindigenous species

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