Research Starter Grant: Evolutionary History of Invasions by the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

0130543Lee本项目主要研究斑马贻贝入侵的地理途径和遗传机制。这项研究的目的是(1)重建入侵途径，从里海和黑海地区的潜在来源到北美，(2)澄清近亲物种之间的遗传(进化)关系，并识别哪些亚种是入侵的，(3)描述入侵亚种的遗传特征。利用遗传标记，将构建一个系谱(系统发育)，以确定斑马贻贝的入侵途径和生理小种之间的遗传关系。为此，目前正在开发敏感遗传标记(AFLP)和强大的数据分析软件(优势标记分析包)。该项目还将与俄罗斯科学院的科学家合作，包括在里海进行一次联合研究巡航，从斑马贻贝物种复合体可能进化的地点收集数据。斑马贻贝是进入北美水域的最危险的外来物种之一，经济影响高达数十亿美元。尽管人们对斑马贻贝的入侵有着强烈的生态学兴趣和缓解努力，但很少有人致力于了解斑马贻贝入侵的遗传和生理机制。我们不知道北美种群的起源，他们的基因特征，以及为什么他们作为入侵者如此成功。来自该项目的信息将增强我们在入侵期间对射程扩展和适应潜力的预测能力。此外，由于入侵途径往往由多个物种共享，来自该项目的信息将深入了解入侵机制的一般原理。

0130543LeeThis project focuses on geographic pathways and genetic mechanisms of invasions by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. Objectives of this study are to (1) reconstruct pathways of invasions, from potential sources in the Caspian and Black Sea region to North America, (2) clarify genetic (evolutionary) relationships among sibling species and identify which subspecies are invasive, and (3) describe genetic traits of the invasive subspecies. Using genetic markers, a genealogy (phylogeny) will be constructed to determine pathways of invasions and genetic relationships among physiological races of zebra mussels. For this purpose, sensitive genetic markers (AFLPs) and powerful data analysis software (Dominant Marker Analysis Package) are currently under development. This project will also involve collaborative efforts with scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences, including a joint research cruise on the Caspian Sea to collect from sites where the zebra mussel species complex has probably evolved.The zebra mussel ranks among the most hazardous exotic species that has entered North American waters, with an economic impact in the billions of dollars. Despite intense ecological interest and efforts toward mitigation, little effort has been devoted toward understanding genetic and physiological mechanisms of zebra mussel invasions. We do not know origins of North American populations, their genetic traits, and why they are so successful as invaders. Information from this project will enhance our predictive power on range expansion and adaptive potential during invasions. In addition, as pathways of invasions tend to be shared by multiple species, information from this project will yield insight into general principles on mechanisms of invasions.