A Sea Anemone Once Thought to Be Invasive in Argentina Is Native to the Southern Atlantic Coast

Abstract

Non-indigenous species represent a significant threat to marine biodiversity, and accurate taxonomic identification is critical for effective management. This study revisits the long-standing record of the Australian sea anemone Oulactis muscosa in Argentina, which has been cited in numerous studies for nearly 50 years. We conducted a comprehensive taxonomic revision of specimens from Mar del Plata, Argentina, using both morphological and molecular analyses. Our findings reveal a persistent taxonomic error: the specimens belong to a different species. Detailed morphological comparisons and genetic sequencing of mitochondrial and nuclear markers re-identified the specimens as Anthopleura correae. This species is native to Brazil and is distributed from Ceará to Santa Catarina. This represents the first record of an Anthopleura species in Argentina, extending its known distribution. Genetic analyses confirmed the re-identification, showing no significant divergence between the Argentine and Brazilian specimens, while revealing notable differences from O. muscosa. We highlight the importance of rigorous taxonomic approaches integrating both morphological and molecular data to prevent misidentifications, which is particularly crucial when identifying potential invasive species. This study clarifies the taxonomic status of a regionally distributed species and contributes to the accurate inventory of sea anemones in Argentina.