Abstract
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Pallas, 1771) is one of the most invasive species of freshwater bivalves, due to a combination of biological and anthropogenic factors. Once this species has been introduced to a new area, individuals form dense aggregations that are very difficult to remove, leading to many adverse socioeconomic and ecological consequences. In this study, we identified, tested, and validated a new set of polymorphic microsatellite loci (also known as SSRs, Single Sequence Repeats) using a Massive Parallel Sequencing (MPS) platform. After several pruning steps, 93 SSRs could potentially be amplified. Out of these SSRs, 14 were polymorphic, producing a polymorphic yield of 15.05%. These 14 polymorphic microsatellites were fully validated in a first approximation of the genetic population structure of D. polymorpha in the Iberian Peninsula. Based on this polymorphic yield, we propose a criterion for establishing the number of SSRs that require validation in similar species, depending on the final use of the markers. These results could be used to optimize MPS approaches in the development of microsatellites as genetic markers, which would reduce the cost of this process.
Highlights
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Pallas, 1771) is a successful invasive bivalve that is native to the brackish and fresh waters that drain into seas of the Ponto-Caspian region (Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas) [1]
This study identified and validated 14 new polymorphic microsatellites in D. polymorpha, which, added to those developed by Naish and Gosling, Feldheim et al, and Thomas et al [22,23,24], increase the number of working microsatellites in this invasive species
Our results indicate that methodology based on Massive Parallel Sequencing (MPS) platforms and bioinformatic analysis could be used to identify a large number of markers, supporting its suitability in microsatellite isolation
Summary
The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha, Pallas, 1771) is a successful invasive bivalve that is native to the brackish and fresh waters that drain into seas of the Ponto-Caspian region (Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas) [1] This species is considered one of the World's 100 most invasive species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature—Invasive Species Specialist Group (IUCN—ISSG) [2]. Dreissena polymorpha has several biological attributes that facilitate the success of its invasions, including rapid growth with early sexual maturity, dispersal by larvae, unspecific food preference, and gregarious behavior [3]. The invasive behavior of this species is further enhanced by several transport-related anthropogenic factors, primarily the ballast water of boats that move through inland waterways [4].
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