Microsatellite Analysis of the Genetic Diversity of Mussels from the North-Western Region of the Black Sea

Abstract

Using four microsatellite DNA markers (<i>Mch 5, Mch 8, MT 203, MT 282</i>), the genetic diversity and population structure of three groups of mussels from the north-western section of the Black Sea were analyzed, and mussels from the Baltic and North Seas were studied as outgroups. By the studied microsatellite (MS) loci, 59 alleles were determined in five mussels' groups (<i>n</i> = 118). The observed heterozygosity (<i>H<sub>O</sub></i>) ranged from 0.083 to 0.538 and was lower than expected (<i>H<sub>E</sub></i> = 0.344-0.858). All mussel groups showed heterozygote deficiency, which suggests the possibility of inbreeding. Weak (<i>F<sub>ST</sub></i> = 0.036-0.048) and moderate (<i>F<sub>ST</sub></i> = 0.054-0.127) genetic differentiation between the studied groups of mussels was revealed. Genetic distances between the mussels' groups from different locations were calculated, which ranged from 0.211 to 1.130. The obtained data were confirmed by cluster and coordinate analyzes carried out using genetic distances between the groups by distribution of alleles frequencies.