ABSTRACT: Botryllus schlosseri, presumably a Mediterranean tunicate that became a worldwide distributed species, has colonized New Zealand islands during the last 2 centuries. Genetic diversity of 6 populations was tested by 5 polymorphic microsatellite loci (4 to 20 alleles per locus). Allele distribution patterns at all loci are characterized by a few major and many rare alleles, suggesting a founder effect. B. schlosseri populations in the North and South Islands differ considerably in allele distribution, pointing to different founders and limited gene flow. A Hardy-Weinberg exact test for all loci and all New Zealand populations reveals a significant heterozygote deficiency, suggesting partial inbreeding as a result of an aggregated settlement of sibling B. schlosseri tadpoles. Natural chimeras (colonies expressing more than 2 alleles per individual at a locus) are found in most localities. Underestimated levels of chimerism are surprisingly high (an average of 8%), reaching 14% in the South Island. Comparisons with Californian and Israeli populations further support the generally accepted dogma that B. schlosseri is of a Mediterranean Sea origin, and suggest different founders for New Zealand and Californian coasts.

KEY WORDS: Botryllus schlosseri · Biological introduction · Cosmopolitism · Chimerism · Heterozygote deficiency · Microsatellite

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Published in MEPS Vol. 209 (2001) on January 5
ISSN: 0171-8630. Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2001