Moderate genetic drift is driven by extreme recruitment events in the invasive mollusk Crepidula fornicata.

ABSTRACT: Effective population size (Ne) is a measure of genetic drift and is thus a central parameter in evolution, conservation genetics and invasion biology. Interestingly, in native marine species, Ne is typically several orders of magnitude lower than the census size. This pattern has often been explained by high fecundity, variation in reproductive success and pronounced early mortality, resulting in genetic drift across generations. Data documenting genetic drift and/or Ne in marine invasive species are, however, still scarce. We examined the importance of genetic drift in the invasive species Crepidula fornicata by genotyping 681 juveniles sampled during each annual recruitment peak over nine consecutive years in the Bay of Morlaix (Brittany, France). Observed variations in genetic diversity

SUBMITTER: Riquet F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4901356 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature