Taxonomic identity of Distapliastylifera (Tunicata, Ascidiacea), a new arrival to the eastern Pacific displaying invasive behavior in the Gulf of California, Mexico.

ABSTRACT: A colonial ascidian of the genus Distaplia caused a mass mortality of the pen shell Atrinamaura (Sowerby, 1835) during June 2016 in the southwest of the Gulf of California (Mexico), with a significant socio-economic cost. Tentatively identified in previous works as Distapliacf.stylifera, a precise taxonomic determination was still lacking. In the present work, based on a detailed morphological study, it is confirmed that this aggressive species is Distapliastylifera (Kowalevsky, 1874). Originally described from the Red Sea, the species currently has a wide circumtropical distribution (with the exception of the Eastern Pacific to date) and is reported as introduced in parts of its range. The present account thus represents an important range extension of this species. H

SUBMITTER: Moreno-Davila B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10208407 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature