Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 02099-02

Branch : Aquatic Ecology Branch

Study Plan Number : 02099-02

Study Title : Captive Breeding Management and Assessment of Augmentation Efforts with Multilocus Microsatellite DNA Genotypes in the Endangered Clubshell (Pleurobema clava)

Starting Date : 03/01/2006

Completion Date : 12/31/2007

Principal Investigator(s) : King, Timothy L.; Morrison, Cheryl

Primary PI : King, Timothy L.

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4450

Email Address : tlking@usgs.gov

SIS Number :

Primary Program Element :

Second Program Element :

Status : Active

Abstract : BACKGROUND
In 2006 and 2007, clubshell will be propagated, augmented, and reintroduced into three watersheds in their historic range in order to implement recovery actions necessary to downlist and delist the species. The ultimate success of captive propagation programs relies, in part, on implementing a biologically sound genetic management program to determine the level of genetic diversity within and among wild populations and to ensure that this diversity is conserved within the captive population. Practically speaking, managers of threatened and endangered species must be aware of the potential hazards of inbreeding and outbreeding depression within the captive breeding program, as well as, the potential threats posed by introducing genetically divergent congeners into vulnerable extant populations. Measurements of success for mussel (i.e., unionids) reintroduction and augmentation efforts are necessary yet difficult given the small size of the released individuals, the disruptive nature of traditional techniques (i.e. repeated sampling), the challenge of using in-stream cages in small and flashy streams, and the need to discern between wild and captive-bred individuals.

Unique multi-loci genotypes provide managers with a robust tool for assessing and managing genetic biodiversity (individual identification, kinship, fine-scale population structure), and therefore can be utilized to follow the success of augmentation efforts. As part of a previously funded project designed to assess population genetic structure from the largest remaining populations of Pleurobema clava, from the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania, as well as other populations throughout its range, a suite of polymorphic microsatellite markers have been developed. The proposed research will utilize these markers to both maintain and manage genetic diversity during the development of captive broodstock and to monitor effects on wild populations as supplementation proceeds.

This research will constitute the first use of multi-locus genotypes to manage the levels of genetic diversity among a unionid broodstock and to provide direct evidence via gene marking of the effectiveness of a mussel augmentation program. It follows that this project will serve as a model for future mussel captive breeding efforts throughout the nation. Gene marking not only allows managers to measure the overall resource benefit of an augmentation effort, but also provides a research tool to measure the effectiveness of various breeding and introduction methodologies. Moreover, a mechanism will be created to monitor the temporal effects (i.e., changes in allele and genotypic frequencies) on wild populations as supplementation proceeds. Although this study is specific to Region 3, the broodstock may also be appropriate for use outside the Region where clubshell recovery is also necessary per the recovery plan, such as the Green River (KY).
OBJECTIVES
This study will:

1) generate unique multi-locus microsatellite DNA genotypes of P. clava in wild populations to be supplemented and in individuals used to establish a captive breeding program;

2) estimate genetic relatedness (e.g., proportion of shared alleles) among all potential breeders using genotypes derived from polymorphic microsatellite loci;

3) genotype a subsample of glochidia produced in captivity to determine the average relatedness between parents and offspring, as well as among siblings, and establish a threshold below which matings should be avoided (i.e., minimize the likelihood of inbreeding depression); and

4) genotype individuals collected subsequent to augmentation to assess the programs success.

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U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey
11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov
Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
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Branch :	Aquatic Ecology Branch
Study Plan Number :	02099-02
Study Title :	Captive Breeding Management and Assessment of Augmentation Efforts with Multilocus Microsatellite DNA Genotypes in the Endangered Clubshell (Pleurobema clava)
Starting Date :	03/01/2006
Completion Date :	12/31/2007
Principal Investigator(s) :	King, Timothy L.; Morrison, Cheryl
Primary PI :	King, Timothy L.
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4450
Email Address :	tlking@usgs.gov
SIS Number :
Primary Program Element :
Second Program Element :
Status :	Active
Abstract :	BACKGROUND In 2006 and 2007, clubshell will be propagated, augmented, and reintroduced into three watersheds in their historic range in order to implement recovery actions necessary to downlist and delist the species. The ultimate success of captive propagation programs relies, in part, on implementing a biologically sound genetic management program to determine the level of genetic diversity within and among wild populations and to ensure that this diversity is conserved within the captive population. Practically speaking, managers of threatened and endangered species must be aware of the potential hazards of inbreeding and outbreeding depression within the captive breeding program, as well as, the potential threats posed by introducing genetically divergent congeners into vulnerable extant populations. Measurements of success for mussel (i.e., unionids) reintroduction and augmentation efforts are necessary yet difficult given the small size of the released individuals, the disruptive nature of traditional techniques (i.e. repeated sampling), the challenge of using in-stream cages in small and flashy streams, and the need to discern between wild and captive-bred individuals. Unique multi-loci genotypes provide managers with a robust tool for assessing and managing genetic biodiversity (individual identification, kinship, fine-scale population structure), and therefore can be utilized to follow the success of augmentation efforts. As part of a previously funded project designed to assess population genetic structure from the largest remaining populations of Pleurobema clava, from the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania, as well as other populations throughout its range, a suite of polymorphic microsatellite markers have been developed. The proposed research will utilize these markers to both maintain and manage genetic diversity during the development of captive broodstock and to monitor effects on wild populations as supplementation proceeds. This research will constitute the first use of multi-locus genotypes to manage the levels of genetic diversity among a unionid broodstock and to provide direct evidence via gene marking of the effectiveness of a mussel augmentation program. It follows that this project will serve as a model for future mussel captive breeding efforts throughout the nation. Gene marking not only allows managers to measure the overall resource benefit of an augmentation effort, but also provides a research tool to measure the effectiveness of various breeding and introduction methodologies. Moreover, a mechanism will be created to monitor the temporal effects (i.e., changes in allele and genotypic frequencies) on wild populations as supplementation proceeds. Although this study is specific to Region 3, the broodstock may also be appropriate for use outside the Region where clubshell recovery is also necessary per the recovery plan, such as the Green River (KY). OBJECTIVES This study will: 1) generate unique multi-locus microsatellite DNA genotypes of P. clava in wild populations to be supplemented and in individuals used to establish a captive breeding program; 2) estimate genetic relatedness (e.g., proportion of shared alleles) among all potential breeders using genotypes derived from polymorphic microsatellite loci; 3) genotype a subsample of glochidia produced in captivity to determine the average relatedness between parents and offspring, as well as among siblings, and establish a threshold below which matings should be avoided (i.e., minimize the likelihood of inbreeding depression); and 4) genotype individuals collected subsequent to augmentation to assess the programs success.
For More Information :
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U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility