Genetic identification and phylogenetics of Lake Waccamaw endemic freshwater mussel species
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Kristine Sommer (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Michael McCartney
Abstract: Approximately 70% of modern-day freshwater mussel species in North America are
considered threatened, endangered, or recently extinct, and a large number of the non-extinct
species are endemic to a narrow geographic range. Freshwater mussel conservation efforts have
been limited by taxonomic ambiguity and morphologic convergence. Lake Waccamaw in
southeastern North Carolina contains two endemic species, Lampsilis fullerkati and Elliptio
waccamawensis, which share nearly identical shell morphologies. This convergence in shell
morphology complicates conservation efforts. To provide an alternative means to discriminate
them, I developed a Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism
(PCR-RFLP) assay for genetic identification. Genomic DNA was obtained using a non-lethal
method of hemolymph extraction. DNA was amplified using 16S rRNA gene specific primers
and digested with Hinf I, Ava II, and Hind III. However, only the banding patterns of Ava II and
Hind III digestions were diagnostic for these species and were used to type 112 individuals.
RFLP and DNA sequencing data revealed three individuals that had been misidentified based on
morphology. In addition, phylogenetic analysis was used to assess the taxonomy and to test the
status of these putative endemics. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, cox1, and nad1 sequences
were obtained from 109 individuals sampled from Lake Waccamaw, the adjacent Waccamaw
River, and the Yadkin/Pee Dee, Little Pee Dee, and Lumber Rivers in the Pee Dee Drainage.
Results from Bayesian analyses suggest the endemic status of both L. fullerkati and E.
waccamawensis may need to be reconsidered. L. fullerkati is not phylogenetically distinct from
Lampsilis radiata collected outside the lake, and E. waccamawensis groups with and is not
genetically distinguishable from E. congaraea individuals from the Waccamaw River.
Genetic identification and phylogenetics of Lake Waccamaw endemic freshwater mussel species
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Masters of Science
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Mussels--Effect of water pollution on--North Carolina--Lake Waccamaw, Mussels--Effect of pollution on--North Carolina--Lake Waccamaw, Mussels--North Carolina--Lake Waccamaw--Genetics
- Subjects
- Mussels -- Effect of pollution on -- North Carolina -- Lake Waccamaw
- Mussels -- Effect of water pollution on -- North Carolina -- Lake Waccamaw
- Mussels -- North Carolina -- Lake Waccamaw -- Genetics