Population Genetics of a Common Freshwater Mussel, Amblema plicata, in a Southern U.S. River

Abstract

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Population structure and gene flow in the Sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus) and their implications for conservation

“…Additionally, Sheepnose are estimated to have lifespans of up to 30 years (Hove et al, 2015), such long‐lived species can also buffer populations from the loss of genetic diversity due to drift (Hoffman et al, 2017). If this is true, efforts and resources aimed at conservation strategies such as propagation and translocations would be better directed toward regaining habitat suitability and connectivity (Olson & Vaughn, 2020).…”

Reintroducing Threeridge mussels (Amblema plicata) to the Cedar River: Effects of propagation on population genetics and effects of environmental variables on juvenile growth

“…Uneven family size, as was observed in the produced juveniles in this experiment, can reduce Ne, so the population may be at risk of adverse effects (Ferguson et al 2013;Inoue, Aquarium, and Berg 2017;Jones, Neves, and Hallerman 2015). However, Olson and Vaughn (2020) found some genetic structure between upstream and downstream beds of Threeridge mussels in the Little River in Oklahoma. One other study also found genetic structuring within a river basin examining the Texas Hornshell mussel (Popenaias popeii) in the Black River of New Mexico (Inoue, Lang, and Berg 2015).…”

“…The source population was found to exhibit a deficit of heterozygotes. Ho to He ratios in the source population were comparable to nine Threeridge populations analyzed by Olson and Vaughn (2020) using the same set of microsatellite markers. Low levels of heterozygosity may be indicative of the relatedness of individuals in the source population, with potential occurrences of inbreeding (Harmon and Braude 2010).…”

“…Freshwater mussel populations commonly exhibit low effective population sizes (Ne) compared to total population sizes (N). Olson and Vaughn (2020) analyzed nine beds of Threeridge mussels in Oklahoma and found ratios of effective population size to total population size (Ne/N) ranging from 0.002 to 0.219, with a mean of 0.071. Frankham (1995) reviewed data for 102 species and found mean estimates of Ne/N ranging from 0.10 to 0.11.…”