Open AccessPopulation genetic structure of the deep‐sea mussel Bathymodiolus platifron s (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in the Northwest Pacific
Author(s) -
Xu Ting,
Sun Jin,
Watanabe Hiromi K.,
Chen Chong,
Nakamura Masako,
Ji Rubao,
Feng Dong,
Lv Jia,
Wang Shi,
Bao Zhenmin,
Qian PeiYuan,
Qiu JianWen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
evolutionary applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 68
ISSN - 1752-4571
DOI - 10.1111/eva.12696
Subject(s) - mytilidae , biology , population , ecology , genetic divergence , genetic structure , evolutionary biology , zoology , bivalvia , genetic variation , genetic diversity , genetics , mollusca , gene , demography , sociology
Studying population genetics of deep‐sea animals helps us understand their history of habitat colonization and population divergence. Here, we report a population genetic study of the deep‐sea mussel Bathymodiolus platifrons (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) widely distributed in chemosynthesis‐based ecosystems in the Northwest Pacific. Three mitochondrial genes (i.e., atp6 , cox1 , and nad4 ) and 6,398 genomewide single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP s) were obtained from 110 individuals from four hydrothermal vents and two methane seeps. When using the three mitochondrial genes, nearly no genetic differentiation was detected for B. platifrons in the Northwest Pacific. Nevertheless, when using SNP datasets, all individuals in the South China Sea ( SCS ) and three individuals in Sagami Bay ( SB ) together formed one genetic cluster that was distinct from the remaining individuals. Such genetic divergence indicated a genetic barrier to gene flow between the SCS and the open Northwest Pacific, resulting in the co‐occurrence of two cryptic semi‐isolated lineages. When using 125 outlier SNP s identified focusing on individuals in the Okinawa Trough ( OT ) and SB , a minor genetic subdivision was detected between individuals in the southern OT (S‐ OT ) and those in the middle OT (M‐ OT ) and SB . This result indicated that, although under the influence of the Kuroshio Current and the North Pacific Intermediate Water, subtle geographic barriers may exist between the S‐ OT and the M‐ OT . Introgression analyses based on these outlier SNP s revealed that Hatoma Knoll in the S‐ OT represents a possible contact zone for individuals in the OT ‐ SB region. Furthermore, migration dynamic analyses uncovered stronger gene flow from Dai‐yon Yonaguni Knoll in the S‐ OT to the other local populations, compared to the reverse directions. Taken together, the present study offered novel perspectives on the genetic connectivity of B. platifrons mussels, revealing the potential interaction of ocean currents and geographic barriers with adaption and reproductive isolation in shaping their migration patterns and genetic differentiation in the Northwest Pacific.