Abstract
BackgroundThe brown mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) is a dominant constituent of intertidal communities and a strong invader with multiple non-native populations distributed around the world. In a previous study, two polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed and used to determine population-level genetic diversity in invasive and native P. perna populations. However, higher number of microsatellite markers are required for reliable population genetic studies.In this context, in order to understand P. perna origins and history of invasion and to compare population genetic structure in native versus invaded areas, we developed 10 polymorphic microsatellite markers.FindingsDescribed microsatellite markers were developed from an enriched genomic library. Analyses and characterization of loci using 20 individuals from a population in Western Sahara revealed on average 11 alleles per locus (range: 5–27) and mean gene diversity of 0.75 (range: 0.31 - 0.95). One primer pair revealed possible linkage disequilibrium while heterozygote deficiency was significant at four loci. Six of these markers cross-amplified in P. canaliculus (origin: New Zealand).ConclusionsDeveloped markers will be useful in addressing a variety of questions concerning P. perna, including dispersal scales, genetic variation and population structure, in both native and invaded areas.
Highlights
The brown mussel Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758) is a dominant constituent of intertidal communities and a strong invader with multiple non-native populations distributed around the world
Developed markers will be useful in addressing a variety of questions concerning P. perna, including dispersal scales, genetic variation and population structure, in both native and invaded areas
Madagascar, east African coast, extending through the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea, west coast of Africa [5,6]; and from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Gulf of Tunis [7]. It is present in Sri Lanka, southern India and in the Atlantic coast of South America where it was reported in Venezuela, Uruguay, and Brazil, as well as in the West Indies [7,8,9]
Summary
Developed markers will be useful in addressing a variety of questions concerning P. perna, including dispersal scales, genetic variation and population structure, in both native and invaded areas. Despite the economic and ecological impacts of P. perna, only two microsatellite markers have previously been published for this species [14] These markers were used to score individuals from 12 populations spanning the natural and introduced ranges of the brown mussel. Microsatellite markers have been developed for other species of the genus Perna (e.g. P_canaliculus [23]; P. viridis [24]) showing levels of polymorphism similar to those of the markers described in our study. Further genetic population structure analyses could shed light to this phenomenon in P. perna These ten microsatellite loci provide a useful tool to understand processes influencing species boundaries, such as range expansions outside the native distribution of P. perna populations, and compare diversity and differentiation scales in invasive and native populations.
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