Development of DNA markers and the genetic analysis of seven populations of the freshwater mussel Lampsilis radiata siliquoidea (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in north central Minnesota

We investigated the influence of population size on heterozygosity in seven different sized populations of the freshwater mussel Lampsilis radiata siliquoidea (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in north central Minnesota. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), heteroduplex, and single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analyses were performed using nuclear DNA markers. We assayed the populations for variation using a single repetitive 18 base pair RAPD primer and two loci that flanked regions of repetitive DNA. The RAPD primer amplified 12 polymorphic loci. One of the repeat flanking loci formed heteroduplex molecules during the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the other repeat flanking locus was monomorphic. Within populations, heterozygosity values ranged from 0.161-0.356 for the RAPD loci and from 0.000-0.300 for the repeat flanking locus that formed heteroduplex molecules. We estimated the population sizes using three different indices: actual lake area, area of suitable mussel habitat, and a population size index based on density and habitable area estimates. There was no statistically significant correlation between indices of population size and heterozygosity for either the RAPD or repeat flanking locus. The two measures of heterozygosity were significantly correlated (r = 0.715, 0.02<P<0.05). Further studies of genetic variation in freshwater mussels using larger sample sizes are needed because knowledge of genetic variation is important for the management and preservation of endangered and declining mussel populations.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Year dc:date.issued

1997

Author dc:creator

• Tuxbury, Kathryn Ann

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Bowen, Bonnie S.
• Downing, John A.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31274/td-20250603-85

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dr.lib.iastate.edu:20.500.12876/PrMB6eqz