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| Publication Type | J |
| Authors | Ruggiero, M. V. and G. Procaccini |
| Title | The rDNA ITS region in the Lessepsian marine angiosperm Halophila stipulacea (Forssk.) aschers. (Hydrocharitaceae): Intragenomic variability and putative pseudogenic sequences |
| Source | Journal of Molecular Evolution |
| Author Keywords | Halophila stipulacea seagrasses introduced species ITS region intraindividual variability pseudogenes nuclear ribosomal dna concerted evolution molecular evolution multigene families spacer sequences polymorphism its1 phaeophyceae substitution divergent |
| Abstract | Halophila stipulacea is a dioecious marine angiosperm, widely distributed along the western coasts of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. This species is thought to be a Lessepsian immigrant that entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea after the opening of the Suez Canal (1869). Previous studies have revealed both high phenotypic and genetic variability in Halophila stipulacea populations from the western Mediterranean basin. In order to test the hypothesis of a Lessepsian introduction, we compare genetic polymorphism between putative native (Red Sea) and introduced (Mediterranean) populations through rDNA ITS region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) sequence analysis. A high degree of intraindividual variability of ITS sequences was found. Most of the intragenomic polymorphism was due to pseudogenic sequences, present in almost all individuals. Features of ITS functional sequences and pseudogenes are described. Possible causes for the lack of homogenization of ITS paralogues within individuals are discussed. |
| Author Address | Lab Ecol Benthos, Stn Zool A Dohrn, I-80077 Ischia, Napoli, Italy. Procaccini, G, Lab Ecol Benthos, Stn Zool A Dohrn, I-80077 Ischia, Napoli, Italy. gpro@szn.it |
| Publication Date | Jan |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Beginning Page | 115-121 |
| Unique Article Identifier | ISI:000188112200010 |
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