Genomic data reveal similar genetic differentiation in aquifer species with different dispersal capabilities and life histories

Steve Jordan, Brian K. Hand, Scott Hotaling, Amanda G. Delvecchia, Rachel Malison, Clark Nissley, Gordon Luikart, Jack A. Stanford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Little is known about the life histories, genetic structure and population connectivity of shallow groundwater organisms. We used next-generation sequencing (RAD-seq) to analyse population genomic structure in two aquifer species: Paraperla frontalis (Banks, 1902), a stonefly with groundwater larvae and aerial (winged) adults; and Stygobromus sp., a groundwater-obligate amphipod. We found similar genetic differentiation in each species between floodplains separated by ∼70 river km in the Flathead River basin of north-west Montana, USA. Given that Stygobromus lacks the above-ground life stage of P. frontalis, our findings suggest that connectivity and the magnitude of genetic structure cannot be definitively assumed from life history differences.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)315-322
Number of pages8
JournalBiological Journal of the Linnean Society
Volume129
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 30 2020

Keywords

  • Amphipoda
  • Plecoptera
  • RAD-seq
  • aquifer ecosystem
  • groundwater fauna

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