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Genetic and morphological variability of the noble pen shell (Pinna nobilis Linnaeus, 1758) in Nature Park Telašćica and National Park Mljet

Pinna nobilis is one of the most imposing member of Mediterranean bivalve mollusks, reaching a size up to 120 cm and with reported maximum age of 27 years. It is endangered and protected species under both local and EU laws with recent demographic expansions. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive information on conservation status of noble pen shell on Croatian coast: morphology of species with focus on the population density, structure, spatial distribution and size, together with appraisal of the genetic structure and population connectivity with its spatial genetic variation in the Adriatic Sea. Two populations from Nature Park Telašćica and National Park Mljet were surveyed using COI and 16S mtDNA markers. Population density of both MPA areas were higher than average found in Mediterranean with population structure mainly consists of adults and old individuals, possible from 8 to 15 years old. Genetic analysis revealed genetic structuring between Venetian and Croatian populations within Adriatic Sea, as well as between Aegean population and populations from Adriatic Sea. High levels of haplotype sharing between Sardinia and Croatia populations suggests the phenomena of a constant genetic flow between western Mediterranean and Southern Adriatic Sea that has never been described before.

Pinna nobilis, population density, population structure, genetic structure, 16S, COI, Adriatic Sea

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