Population genomics reveal low differentiation and complex demographic histories in a highly fragmented and endangered freshwater mussel

Gladstone, Nicholas S.; Garrison, Nicole L.; Lane, Timothy; Johnson, Paul D.; Garner, Jeffrey T.; Whelan, Nathan V.

doi:10.1002/aqc.3849

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 70 publications

(140 reference statements)

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“…Bear Creek represents the approximate downstream extent of the endemic mussel fauna of the Tennessee River system (Haag 2012), and it is distant from other populations of endemic species in the system. For example, the Bear Creek population of Cumberlandian Combshell is separated from the nearest surviving population by 748 river km and numerous dams (Gladstone et al 2022). This isolation illustrates the biogeographic importance of Bear Creek, as well as its vulnerability to stochastic effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Distribution and Status of Freshwater Mussels in the Bear Creek Watershed, Mississippi

Ellwanger

Wagner

2022

Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation

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Bear Creek is a tributary of the Tennessee River in northwestern Alabama and northeastern Mississippi. The watershed supports a diverse freshwater mussel assemblage including several species of conservation concern. We conducted a mussel survey at 55 sites in the Mississippi portions of Bear Creek and its largest tributary, Cedar Creek, during September and October 2020. We found a total of 30 species, of which 25 were represented by live individuals. The invasive Asian Clam, Corbicula fluminea, was widespread in the watershed, but we found no evidence of Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. Notable species found live included two federally endangered species, Cumberlandian Combshell, Epioblasma brevidens and Slabside Pearlymussel, Pleuronaia dolabelloides; one federally threatened species, Rabbitsfoot, Theliderma cylindrica; and two state endangered species. In addition, we report the first documented occurrence of the Mountain Creekshell, Villosa vanuxemensis, in Mississippi. Mussel abundance and species richness were low at most sites in the watershed, but the upper portion of Bear Creek had the highest mussel abundance and species richness. We compare our results with previous surveys in the watershed and discuss conservation issues pertinent to the Bear Creek mussel fauna.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Distribution and Status of Freshwater Mussels in the Bear Creek Watershed, Mississippi

Ellwanger

Wagner

2022

Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation

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“…In this review, we have focused on the impact of a single bottleneck on population response, except when considering microbial experiments that usually involve multiple bottlenecks. However, the demographic history of natural populations is never restricted to a single bottleneck (Hohenlohe et al, 2020;Gladstone et al, 2022). Therefore, it is essential to consider the entire demographic history of natural populations, including the intensity and frequency of these bottlenecks.…”

Section: Testing the Influence Of Bottleneck Characteristics On Futur...mentioning

confidence: 99%

How bottlenecks shape adaptive potential: from theory and microbiology to conservation biology

Gamblin,

Marrec,

Olazcuaga

2024

Preprint

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Wild populations frequently undergo demographic changes that can destabilize their persistence and, thus, the equilibrium of ecosystems. For instance, habitat loss due to human activities leads to a drastic population size reduction, a process called a bottleneck. By reducing genetic diversity, a bottleneck may prevent a population from adapting to subsequent environmental changes. In the context of climate change, it is crucial to accurately predict how populations evolve after a bottleneck and how it affects their persistence. Mathematical models have provided valuable insights into the impact of bottlenecks on adaptive potential of populations. However, their application to wild populations requires further improvement. Empirical testing of these theoretical predictions is mainly conducted using microbial populations. Thus, it remains unclear what the implications of the results are at the macroscopic scale, although this information is crucial for conservation biology. Here, we aim to determine the extent to which the knowledge acquired through evolutionary theory and experimental microbiology can be applied to wild populations. To achieve this, we address the following questions: (i) What do theory and microbiology experiments tell us about the influence of bottlenecks on the ability of populations to adapt to future environmental changes? (ii) Can these theoretical predictions be applied to wild populations? and (iii) What is missing to better predict the evolution of wild populations after a bottleneck? We analyze how the four main evolutionary processes (mutation, genetic drift, natural selection, and gene flow) influence the outcome of a bottlenecked population. By linking theory, microbial experiments, and empirical studies on natural populations, we identify research directions that could help improve the management of bottlenecked populations and plead for increased communication between these fields.

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Population genomics of the endangered freshwater mussel, Arcidens wheeleri (Unionoidea: Unionidae: Anodontini), in the Little River, Arkansas, USA

Adcock,

Moles,

Garrison

et al. 2024

Journal of Molluscan Studies

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North America is a hotspot of freshwater mussel diversity. However, over the last century, many anthropogenic stressors have led to substantial declines in freshwater mussels of the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae in North America. Conserving the remaining mussel fauna is a priority, as they play an integral role in freshwater ecosystems. The Little River in Arkansas is home to one of the last remaining populations of the federally endangered freshwater mussel, Arcidens wheeleri (Unionidae: Anodontini). Population dynamics information is lacking for A. wheeleri, and no population genetics study has been conducted on this species. A greater understanding of the genetic diversity within a population can serve as a benchmark for developing an effective management plan. We sampled A. wheeleri from three locations in the Little River. Genomic data were generated with a single-enzyme restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing approach to assess genetic diversity and structure of A. wheeleri in the Little River. Genetic structure analyses indicated one genetic population among the three locations, with limited, fine-scale subpopulation structure. Observed heterozygosity values were considerably lower than expected heterozygosity values, with Ho = 0.14 and He = 0.22, likely indicating a genetic bottleneck. Demographic analysis of the Little River population of A. wheeleri also suggests a historical bottleneck. Furthermore, a high inbreeding coefficient (FIS = 0.33) indicates A. wheeleri in the Little River is losing genetic diversity. Data generated indicate considerable risk of extirpation for A. wheeleri from the Little River and should serve as a baseline for future monitoring. Given its high risk of extinction, we recommend increased study of A. wheeleri across its range and on-the-ground conservation actions that include habitat protection and restoration, which are the only options until a successful host fish and protocols are identified for propagation.

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Population genomics reveal low differentiation and complex demographic histories in a highly fragmented and endangered freshwater mussel

Cited by 6 publications

References 70 publications

Distribution and Status of Freshwater Mussels in the Bear Creek Watershed, Mississippi

Distribution and Status of Freshwater Mussels in the Bear Creek Watershed, Mississippi

How bottlenecks shape adaptive potential: from theory and microbiology to conservation biology

Population genomics of the endangered freshwater mussel, Arcidens wheeleri (Unionoidea: Unionidae: Anodontini), in the Little River, Arkansas, USA

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