Genetics, Diversity and Evolution of Molluscs

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 September 2026 | Viewed by 772

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
Interests: molecular biology; genomics; genetics; molecular phylogenetics; malacology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the genetic studies, diversity, and evolution of molluscs such as bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods. These studies cover a broad range of topics, including population structure, genetic variation within and between populations and species, genetic identification based on DNA barcoding, and complete mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA).

This Special Issue seeks to advance knowledge of molluscan genetics, their diversity, and evolutionary processes. We invite contributions to explore the following:

  • Population genetic structure and gene flow in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial molluscs;
  • DNA barcoding and molecular identification of cryptic molluscan species;
  • Genetics of endangered and invasive species;
  • Genomic and mitogenomic signatures of speciation and adaptive radiation;
  • Phenomenon DUI (double uniparental inheritance of mtDNA) has so far only been observed in certain bivalve families;
  • Evolutionary dynamics of functional genes;
  • Phylogenetic relationships within and between major molluscan classes;
  • Genetic consequences of environmental changes;
  • Impact of climate change on the distribution and life cycles of molluscs, especially aquatic species.

Prof. Dr. Marianna Soroka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • molluscs
  • genetics
  • DNA
  • genomes
  • Barcode DNA
  • DNA sequencing
  • DUI
  • diversity
  • evolution
  • native
  • alien and invasive species
  • hybridisation zones

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

20 pages, 2132 KB  
Article
Genetic Characterization of the Rayed Pearl Oyster Pinctada radiata in the Eastern Adriatic Sea (Central Mediterranean)
by Mirela Petrić, Rino Stanić, Tena Ćurko, Biljana Apostolska, Antonela Sovulj, Mate Šantić and Željka Trumbić
Genes 2026, 17(4), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17040397 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 300
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Non-indigenous species are increasingly reshaping Mediterranean marine ecosystems, particularly under ongoing climate warming. The rayed pearl oyster Pinctada radiata, a thermophilic species originating from the Indo-Pacific region, is one of the earliest and most successful invaders in the Mediterranean Sea and [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Non-indigenous species are increasingly reshaping Mediterranean marine ecosystems, particularly under ongoing climate warming. The rayed pearl oyster Pinctada radiata, a thermophilic species originating from the Indo-Pacific region, is one of the earliest and most successful invaders in the Mediterranean Sea and has recently established populations in the Adriatic Sea. Methods: This study integrates preliminary shell morphometric data with molecular genetic analyses based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) markers to confirm species identity and examine patterns of genetic variation in comparison with other Mediterranean Sea regions and the Persian Gulf. Results: Phylogenetic analyses based on COI confirmed P. radiata as a distinct and well-supported monophyletic lineage, whereas the nuclear ITS2 marker showed limited resolution and interspecific overlap. Mediterranean and Adriatic populations showed low COI haplotype and nucleotide diversity and weak genetic structuring, consistent with recent colonization and secondary expansion, whereas Persian Gulf populations were more genetically diverse. Conclusions: Future studies should employ larger sample sizes and broader geographic sampling across both the Mediterranean Sea and the full native range of P. radiata, combined with high-resolution genome-wide nuclear markers, to better resolve connectivity and invasion dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics, Diversity and Evolution of Molluscs)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop