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The rDNA ITS Region in the Lessepsian Marine Angiosperm Halophila stipulacea (Forssk.) Aschers. (Hydrocharitaceae): Intragenomic Variability and Putative Pseudogenic Sequences

Authors :
Gabriele Procaccini
Maria Valeria Ruggiero
Source :
Journal of Molecular Evolution. 58:115-121
Publication Year :
2004
Publisher :
Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2004.

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.

Details

ISSN :
14321432 and 00222844
Volume :
58
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Molecular Evolution
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....9d0b11793d33fac4b42908d9a9d70c80