Tena Ćurko

Ms. Tena Ćurko


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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30 March 2026 in Genes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MPMirela Petrić
Mirela Petrić
RSRino Stanić
Rino Stanić
TĆTena Ćurko
Tena Ćurko
BABiljana Apostolska
Biljana Apostolska
ASAntonela Sovulj
Antonela Sovulj
ŽTŽeljka Trumbić
Željka Trumbić
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.