RUI: Colonization genetics of globally invasive marine bryozoa: Does adaptation prior or post-introduction determine spread?

近50年来，水生孢属苔藓虫的入侵对许多沿海地区造成了严重的生态干扰。分离来源引种和纬向倾斜型的出现(从mtDNA图谱上观察到)表明，遗传变异和适应可能是控制引种的重要因素。以前的研究表明，港口中神秘物种的复合体正在迅速重新排列。Watsipora在船体上这一“污垢”生态位上取得的独特成功，唤起了一种入侵机制，并使其适应(例如，适应温度或铜质防污涂料)将有助于运输。了解遗传适应与繁殖压力对入侵的促进程度对于理解和预测外来物种在浅海生态系统中的成功至关重要。在这项研究中，将使用微卫星标记和COI基因序列来量化水生孢子虫复合体中的遗传变异。此外，还将进行“共同花园”实验，以考察过去涉及两种选择因素(温度和铜防污漆)的选择事件在影响不同集合种群中不同基因型的成功中所起的作用。本研究以加利福尼亚海岸线的种群为研究对象，主要有三个目标：(I)利用12个微卫星基因座识别水生孢子虫种群复合体中过去或现在的生殖障碍，以更好地确定相关的选择单位，并重建这些物种引入和传播的动态。(Ii)研究种群生长率、基因型和温度之间的关系，以确定生长率是否与遗传谱系或来源种群的环境(温度)相关。(Iii)检测幼虫阶段对溶解铜的耐受性，评估这一性状的变异是否与遗传背景相关；如果是这样的话，水孢子虫在新港口的传播可能取决于(船体上的)防污涂料，以及船舶交通。智力上的好处：这些实验将重建最成功的入侵物种之一(水孢子虫spp.)的引入动态序列。在世界各地的海洋沿海生境(港口和海湾)。这项研究将有助于阐明该属的系统发育。基于基因的研究和基于实验室的实验相结合，将测试繁殖压力、现有的表型变异和进化适应(温度、铜漆)对理解这种高度入侵的物种复合体的成功特征的影响。广泛影响：这个“主要是本科生机构”(进化过程)提案的一个主要目标是为加州州立大学(CSU)系统内两个不同机构的本科生提供实践的生态遗传学研究经验。这项研究的方法和结果也将被整合到两个校区的6个班级(进化论、生态遗传学、无脊椎动物动物学等)，每年影响150名本科生，包括那些在大学里科学代表性不足的学生。这一机制研究的结果将对控制入侵物种在世界各地港口和海湾的传播具有重要意义。

Invasion of encrusting bryozoans of the genus Watersipora during the past ~50 years has created a significant ecological disturbance to many coastal areas. The occurrence of separate-source introductions and latitudinal clines (observed from mtDNA patterns) suggests that genetic variance and adaptation may be important factors in controlling introductions. Previous studies indicate a rapidly re-arranging complex of cryptic species in harbors. The unique success of Watersipora in this 'fouling' niche on ship hulls evokes a mechanism for invasion, and adaptations (e.g., to temperature or copper anti-fouling paints) that would facilitate transport. Knowing the degree to which invasions are facilitated by genetic adaptation versus propagule pressure alone is critical for understanding, and predicting, the success of exotic species in shallow marine ecosystems.In this study, genetic variation in the Watersipora complex will be quantified using microsatellite markers, as well as COI gene sequences. In addition, "common-garden" experiments will be conducted to examine the role of past selection events involving two selective agents (temperature and copper anti-fouling paint) in influencing the success of various genotypes in different metapopulations. Focusing on populations in California, a coastline recently experiencing multiple Watersipora invasions, there are three major goals of this research.(i) To use 12 microsatellite loci to identify past or present reproductive barriers in the complex of Watersipora species, both to better define the relevant units of selection, and to reconstruct the dynamics of introductions and spread of these species.(ii) To examine the relationship between colony growth rate, genotype and temperature to determine whether growth rate correlates with genetic lineage or the environment (temperature) of the source population.(iii) To examine larval-stage tolerance to dissolved copper, assessing whether variation in this trait correlates with genetic background; if so, spread of Watersipora into new harbors may depend on antifouling paints (on hulls), as well as on vessel traffic.Intellectual Merit: These experiments will reconstruct the dynamic sequence of introductions in one of the most remarkably successful groups of invasive species (Watersipora spp.) in marine coastal habitats (harbors and bays) world-wide. The research will shed light on the phylogeny of this genus. A combination of gene-based studies and lab-based experiments will test the influences of propagule pressure, existing phenotypic variation, and evolutionary adaptation (temperature, copper paints) toward understanding the successful traits of this highly invasive species complex.Broader Impacts: A major goal of this "primarily undergraduate institution" (Evolutionary Processes) proposal is to provide hands-on research experience in ecological genetics for undergraduates from two different institutions within the California State University (CSU) system. The approach and findings from this research also will be integrated into 6 classes (Evolution, Ecological Genetics, Invertebrate Zoology, etc) at both campuses, impacting 150 undergraduate students each year, including those under-represented in science at the Universities. Results of this mechanistic study will have important implications for managing the spread of invasive species in harbors and bays around the world.