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Phenotypic plasticity and genetic isolation-by-distance in the freshwater mussel Unio pictorum (Mollusca: Unionoida)

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Abstract

Freshwater mussels (Unionoida) show high intraspecific morphological variability, and some shell morphological traits are believed to be associated with habitat conditions. It is not known whether and which of these ecophenotypic differences reflect underlying genetic differentiation or are the result of phenotypic plasticity. Using 103 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers, we studied population genetics of three paired Unio pictorum populations sampled from two different habitat types (marina and river) along the River Thames. We found genetic differences along the Thames which were consistent with a pattern of isolation by distance and probably reflect limited dispersal via host fish species upon which unionoid larvae are obligate parasites. No consistent genetic differences were found between the two different habitat types suggesting that morphological differences in the degree of shell elongation and the shape of dorso-posterior margin are caused by phenotypic plasticity. Our study provides the first good evidence for phenotypic plasticity of shell shape in a European unionoid and illustrates the need to include genetic data in order properly to interpret geographic patterns of morphological variation.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Abingdon Boat Marina, Harleyford Estate and Marina and Saxon Moorings for allowing access to the marinas. This study was funded by a research grant of the Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland. A.Z. was supported by a grant from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research and J.H. was supported by a British Antarctic Survey Strategic Alliance Fellowship.

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  1. Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK

    A. Zieritz, J. I. Hoffman, W. Amos & D. C. Aldridge

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  1. A. Zieritz
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Zieritz, A., Hoffman, J.I., Amos, W. et al. Phenotypic plasticity and genetic isolation-by-distance in the freshwater mussel Unio pictorum (Mollusca: Unionoida). Evol Ecol 24, 923–938 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-009-9350-0

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