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order to explain the patterns of spatial genetic structure in the species/fonn spread along
the European Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

Ruditapes phillippinarum
In order to achieve a cross priming test using microsatellite primers developed on
Ruditapes philippinarum Adams and Reeve, 1850, to investigate the endangered species
Ruditapes decussatus Linnaeus, 1758, we have approached a new line ofresearch in
population genetics of these species, by means of our fingerprinting tecniques
experience. Bivalves are one of the most invasive group among invertebrates (Sousa et
al., 2009) and the examples in support of these evidence are multiple. Manila clam R.
philippinarum is one ofthis invaders, belonging to the family Veneridae Rafinesque,
1815. Its naturally distribution is the Indo-Pacific region Japan, Korea and China. It was
introduced into the west coast ofNorth America, Hawaii, Portugal, French Atlantic
coast, French Mediterranean coast (Thau Lagoon), Ireland and Italy (Adriatic Sea and
Sardinia) due to its acclimatization and fast population spreading. In Italy, Manila clam
was intentionally introduced in Northern Adriatic Sea for aquaculture purposes in 1983
to support a clam fishery suffering a crisis due to overexploitation of native clam R.
decussatus (Chiesa et al. 201 Oand reference therein). In our work we have also
investigate the genetic variability of microsatellites among the populations of R.
philippinarum from North Adriatic Sea and from the Gulf of Olbia (North-East
Sardinia) where they have been recently introduced.

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Gìan Luca Dedola: ANALISI DELLA VARIABILITÀ GENETICA DI PATELLA FéRRUGINEA, PATEL-LA ULl'SSIPONENSIS (MOLLUSCA: GASTROPODA) E PINNA
NOBILIS (MOLLUSCA: BIVALVIA): lLCONTRJBUTO DEl DATI MOLECOLARI ALLA CONSERVAZIONE DI SPECIE MINACCIATE - Tesi di douorato in Scienze
della natura e delle sue risorse • indiri7.zo BK>logi.a Ambientale, Università degli Studi di Sassarl