High Levels of Genetic and Morphological Variability in Invasive Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857) Populations in South America

ABSTRACT Five populations of the invasive species Limnoperna fortunei were studied using polymorphic molecular (nine allozyme loci) and morphological (11 traits) markers in order to understand the patterns of genetic and morphological variability, structure and dispersion dynamics of this species in South America. High levels of genetic variability were found in South American invasive populations, and significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg proportions clearly indicated that the invasion process is still under way, probably by means other than natural migration.