Genetic and morphological variability of the bivalve mollusk Anadara kagoshimensis (Tokunaga,1906) as probable components ensuring its adaptive success in the Azov and Black Sea region
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Abstract
An invasive population of bivalve mollusk of the genus Anadara living in the Kerch Strait of the Azov Sea has been investigated using methods of molecular genetics and multivariate morphometric analysis. These mollusks are highly successful invaders in the Azov-Black Sea basin and have a significant impact on local biocenoses, which underpins the relevance of this study. The aim of the work was to identify the Anadara mollusks in the Kerch Strait to the species level and analyze their genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, with regard to their adaptability and invasion success. It was confirmed, that the population under study belongs to the species Anadara kagoshimensis (Tokunaga, 1906). Morphometric variability in 6 shell characters and polymorphism in a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase I gene in this population were examined. The genetic diversity in our sample appeared to be not lower than in some native populations of this species. At the same time, the analysis of morphological variations gives reason to believe that there are multiple ontogenetic channels in the individual development of the studied population of A. kagoshimensis. It is suggested that this condition contributed to the adaptive success of this arc shell in the Azov-Black Sea basin.