New diagnostic SNP molecular markers for the Mytilus species complex

Citation

Wilson J, Matejusova I, McIntosh RE, Carboni S & Bekaert M (2018) New diagnostic SNP molecular markers for the Mytilus species complex. PLOS ONE, 13 (7), Art. No.: e0200654. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200654

Abstract
The development of diagnostic markers has been a long-standing interest of population geneticists as it allows clarification of taxonomic uncertainties. Historically, there has been much debate on the taxonomic status of species belonging to the Mytilus species complex (M. edulis, M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus), and whether they are discrete species. We analysed reference pure specimens of M. edulis, M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus, using Restriction site associated DNA (RAD) sequencing and identified over 6,000 SNP markers separating the three species unambiguously. We developed a panel of diagnostic SNP markers for the genotyping of Mytilus species complex as well as the identification of hybrids and interspecies introgression events in Mytilus species. We validated a panel of twelve diagnostic SNP markers which can be used for species genotyping. Being able to accurately identify species and hybrids within the Mytilus species complex is important for the selective mussel stock management, the exclusion of invasive species, basic physiology and bio-diversity studies.

Keywords
General Biochemistry; Genetics and Molecular Biology; General Agricultural and Biological Sciences; General Medicine

Journal
PLOS ONE: Volume 13, Issue 7

People

Dr Stefano Carboni

Aquatic Invertebrate Zoologist, Institute of Aquaculture