Comparison of population genetic patterns in two widespread freshwater mussels with contrasting life histories in western North America |
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Authors: | K E Mock J C Brim Box J P Chong J Furnish J K Howard |
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Institution: | 1. Ecology Center and Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University, , Logan, UT, 84322 USA;2. Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Programs, , Pendleton, OR, 97801 USA;3. US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, , Vallejo, CA, 94592 USA;4. The Nature Conservancy, California Program, , San Francisco, CA, 94105‐1832 USA |
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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. |
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Keywords: |
Anodonta
Columbia River Basin genetic diversity genetic structure hermaphroditism inbreeding
Margaritifera falcata
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