Isolation mediates persistent founder effects on zooplankton colonisation in new temporary ponds.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the colonisation process in zooplankton is crucial for successful restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Here, we analyzed the clonal and genetic structure of the cyclical parthenogenetic rotifer Brachionus plicatilis by following populations established in new temporary ponds during the first three hydroperiods. Rotifer populations established rapidly after first flooding, although colonisation was ongoing throughout the study. Multilocus genotypes from 7 microsatellite loci suggested that most populations (10 of 14) were founded by few clones. The exception was one of the four populations that persisted throughout the studied hydroperiods, where high genetic diversity in the first hydroperiod suggested colonisation from a historical egg bank, and no increase in allelic diversit

SUBMITTER: Badosa A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5343421 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature