Demographic Data and Genetic Diversity of the Introduced Barnacle, Megabalanus coccopoma, in the Southeastern U.S.
Location
Atrium
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Research Area Topic:
MBI - Molecular Biology Initiative
Roundtable Presentation Participants
Gleason, D.F., Harrison, J.S.
Abstract
The barnacle Megabalanus coccopoma is a recently introduced species to the southeastern U.S. Their large body size and rapid range expansions have heightened concerns that M. coccopoma may outcompete native sessile invertebrates on hard substrata. In addition, yearly range expansions indicate the potential for local larval sources. We hypothesize that M. coccopoma populations on offshore structures are acting as a larval source and thus have higher genetic diversity and mean shell sizes than onshore populations due to overlapping generations of mature, breeding adults. To assess this hypothesis we collected demographic data including density and mean shell size from each of 4 shoreline sites and 4 offshore sites. Additionally, we sampled ~25 individuals biannually for two years from each site for genetic analysis using microsatellite markers. Demographic data supports our hypothesis indicating that offshore populations consist of larger, more mature individuals suggesting a stable adult population at these sites. To date microsatellite data shows high diversity at all sites with the mean average alleles per locus ranging from 13.15±4.83 to 18.92±7.89. All sites also show significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, which may be the result of recent founder events or a population admixture from multiple source populations.
Keywords
Introduced species, Population genetics
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Start Date
4-24-2015 2:45 PM
End Date
4-24-2015 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Reigel, Alicia M., "Demographic Data and Genetic Diversity of the Introduced Barnacle, Megabalanus coccopoma, in the Southeastern U.S." (2015). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 119.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2015/2015/119
Demographic Data and Genetic Diversity of the Introduced Barnacle, Megabalanus coccopoma, in the Southeastern U.S.
Atrium
The barnacle Megabalanus coccopoma is a recently introduced species to the southeastern U.S. Their large body size and rapid range expansions have heightened concerns that M. coccopoma may outcompete native sessile invertebrates on hard substrata. In addition, yearly range expansions indicate the potential for local larval sources. We hypothesize that M. coccopoma populations on offshore structures are acting as a larval source and thus have higher genetic diversity and mean shell sizes than onshore populations due to overlapping generations of mature, breeding adults. To assess this hypothesis we collected demographic data including density and mean shell size from each of 4 shoreline sites and 4 offshore sites. Additionally, we sampled ~25 individuals biannually for two years from each site for genetic analysis using microsatellite markers. Demographic data supports our hypothesis indicating that offshore populations consist of larger, more mature individuals suggesting a stable adult population at these sites. To date microsatellite data shows high diversity at all sites with the mean average alleles per locus ranging from 13.15±4.83 to 18.92±7.89. All sites also show significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, which may be the result of recent founder events or a population admixture from multiple source populations.
