1. Comparison of population genetic patterns in two widespread freshwater mussels with contrasting life histories in western North America.
- Author
-
Mock KE, Brim Box JC, Chong JP, Furnish J, and Howard JK
- Subjects
- Animals, Anodonta classification, Anodonta physiology, Cell Nucleus genetics, DNA, Mitochondrial genetics, Fishes, Fresh Water, Haplotypes, Life Cycle Stages, Microsatellite Repeats, Molecular Sequence Data, North America, Reproduction physiology, Sequence Analysis, DNA, Unionidae classification, Unionidae physiology, Anodonta genetics, Genetic Variation, Genetics, Population methods, Unionidae genetics
- Abstract
We investigate population genetic structuring in Margaritifera falcata, a freshwater mussel native to western North America, across the majority of its geographical range. We find shallow rangewide genetic structure, strong population-level structuring and very low population diversity in this species, using both mitochondrial sequence and nuclear microsatellite data. We contrast these patterns with previous findings in another freshwater mussel species group (Anodonta californiensis/A. nuttalliana) occupying the same continental region and many of the same watersheds. We conclude that differences are likely caused by contrasting life history attributes between genera, particularly host fish requirements and hermaphroditism. Further, we demonstrate the occurrence of a 'hotspot' for genetic diversity in both groups of mussels, occurring in the vicinity of the lower Columbia River drainage. We suggest that stream hierarchy may be responsible for this pattern and may produce similar patterns in other widespread freshwater species., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF