Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Molecular population genetics of male and female mitochondrial genomes in European mussels Mytilus
Smietanka, B.; Burzynski, A.; Wenne, R. (2009). Molecular population genetics of male and female mitochondrial genomes in European mussels Mytilus. Mar. Biol. (Berl.) 156(5): 913-925. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-009-1137-x
In: Marine Biology: International Journal on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters. Springer: Heidelberg; Berlin. ISSN 0025-3162; e-ISSN 1432-1793, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Smietanka, B., more
  • Burzynski, A.
  • Wenne, R., more

Abstract
    The doubly uniparental system of mitochondrial inheritance (DUI) is best known in marine mussels Mytilus. Under DUI there are two types of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The female type (F) is transmitted to offspring of both genders and the male type (M) exclusively to sons; consequently two distinct mtDNA lineages exist. The M lineage evolves under more relaxed selection than the F lineage resulting in higher polymorphism within the M lineage. Though this polymorphism is expected to make inferences on fine population structure easier using M instead of F data, no comprehensive comparative data exist to support this claim. We sequenced a 1,205 bp fragment of M and F mtDNA comprising parts of the COIII and ND2 genes, and analysed 204 individuals representing three Mytilus species: M. edulis, M. galloprovincialis and M. trossulus from 13 European sampling sites. A clear distinction between Mediterranean and Atlantic populations was found with both M and F data, but much better geographic differentiation was found within the Atlantic using F rather than M data. In particular, Atlantic M. galloprovincialis can be differentiated from Atlantic M. edulis, and further subdivision of Atlantic M. edulis is possible using the F data but not the M data. Multiple tests of selection were carried out to attempt to explain this paradox. We concluded that the overall pattern of polymorphism is consistent with strong purifying selection; not only is this selection relaxed in the M lineage in comparison with the F lineage, but it is also more frequently interrupted by periodic selective sweeps within the M lineage.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors