Genetic Structuring in the Freshwater Mussel Anodonta Corresponds with Major Hydrologic Basins in the Western United States

Authors

Karen E. Mock, Utah State UniversityFollow
Jayne C. Brim-Box, Utah State University
Jer Pin Chong, Utah State University
Jeannette K. Howard
Donna A. Nez
David Wolf
Richard S. Gardner

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Molecular Ecology

Volume

19

Issue

3

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Publication Date

2010

First Page

569

Last Page

591

Abstract

Freshwater mussels (unionids) are increasingly recognized as important providers of ecosystem services, yet are among the most endangered fauna in the world. Because unionids are generally sessile and require specific fish hosts for development and dispersal, they are particularly vulnerable to habitat degradation. Surprisingly, little is known about the distribution of genetic diversity in freshwater mussels and this gap has a negative impact on taxonomy, monitoring, conservation and ecological research in these species. Here, we focus on western North American Anodonta, one of only three genera known to exist in this broad landscape and which contains three highly divergent lineages. We describe phylogeographical subdivision in the most widespread and diverse of these lineages, which includes Anodonta californiensis and Anodonta nuttalliana and occurs from Canada to Mexico. Using mitochondrial and nuclear data, we found that genetic structuring within this clade is inconsistent with morphologically based species designations, but instead follows patterns of vicariance among major hydrogeologic basins. Furthermore, there was a strong tendency for population diversity within drainage systems to increase downstream, implying greater habitat or host fish availability in this direction. Microsatellite results indicated that sampling locations were all genetically distinct, even at short distances. Many of our sample populations showed evidence of a recent demographic bottleneck, although this effect seemed to be very local and not drainage or basin-specific. This study provides a foundation for the establishment of appropriate management units and future research on adaptive differentiation and host fish relationships.

Comments

Originally published by Wiley-Blackwell. Publisher's HTML full text and PDF available through remote link.

Recommended Citation

Mock, K. E., Brim Box, J. C., Chong, J. P., Howard, J. K., Nez, D. A., Wolf, D. and Gardner, R. S. (2010), Genetic structuring in the freshwater mussel Anodonta corresponds with major hydrologic basins in the western United States. Molecular Ecology, 19: 569–591.