Integrative evidence for the first record of Clavelina oblonga (Ascidiacea: Clavelinidae) in a highly turbid Caribbean habitat
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Abstract
Ascidians are key components of benthic marine communities worldwide. They contribute to biofouling and increase the structural complexity of benthic habitats by providing substrate for other organisms. Despite their ecological relevance, the ascidian fauna of the Colombian Caribbean remains poorly documented. We provide the first confirmed record of the colonial ascidian Clavelina oblonga Herdman, 1880 in Colombia, based on an integrative approach that combined morphological examination with DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Specimens were collected from artificial substrates, including concrete structures, metallic pilings, and submerged ropes at depths of 0.5–2.0 m within a marina in the Atlántico Department on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The presence of this species may represent either an overlooked native population or human-mediated dispersal associated with maritime traffic. These findings highlight the importance of sustained regional monitoring and the use of molecular tools to improve the documentation of ascidian diversity.
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