The invasive Asian green mussel Perna viridis in South Africa: all that is green is not viridis. Issue 2 (19th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Micklem, JM; Griffiths, CL; Ntuli, N; Mwale, M
• Is Part Of: African journal of marine science. Volume 38:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 207
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2016-08-19
• Subjects: DNA barcoding -- mtDNA COI -- mussel colouration -- Perna perna; Marine biology -- Africa -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- Periodicals; Marine sciences -- Periodicals; 578.7709605
• DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2016.1180323
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1814-232X

Abstract

Abstract : The Asian green mussel Perna viridis is an invasive Indo-Pacific species recently reported from South African harbours. To verify the invasion, a phylogenetic (and morphological) analysis of green-shelled mussels ( n = 39), found in six South African harbours, was conducted using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI). Estimates of genetic distances using the neighbour-joining analysis identified P. viridis only from Durban Harbour. All other green mussels were more than 3.2% divergent from P. viridis and were identified as green-shelled variants of indigenous P. perna . The only reliable morphological differences distinguishing the two species were the poorly developed mantle papillae and the wavy pallial line in P. viridis . The confirmed occurrence of P. viridis in a South African harbour suggests that there is a possible threat of the species becoming established and then spreading onto the open coast and competing with indigenous P. perna .