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Measuring geographic range limits and genetic connections between non-native Green Crab populations and commercial Sea Scallop stocks

Description

The European Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) is a high impact aquatic invasive predator which is reported to have commercial (e.g., soft shell clams) and ecosystem (e.g., eelgrass beds) consequences. Sea Scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) are consistently one of the most valuable shellfish species harvested from Canada’s Atlantic waters but connectivity (genetic exchange) between different stocks is not entirely understood. When considered from a conservation and resource management perspective, it would be beneficial to develop genetic models for both these species. Genetic marker development and validation from previous Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI) funded research revealed a complex arrangement that has gone previously unreported for either species. Protocols and genetic markers from this past work will be employed in this study to directly address resource management and conservation needs within Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The results from this project also have the ability to influence regulation, policy and science advisory processes.

For green crabs, previously determined and proven genetic markers will provide the basis for an examination of differences in two (southern vs. northern) European green crab family lines introduced to Atlantic Canada, including

  1. reconstructing the invasion path for each lineage;
  2. describing the lineage-specific physical tolerances by comparing southern vs. northern range limits; and,
  3. the role that hybrid offspring between the two lineages played in expanding their range and population explosions.

For sea scallops, previously used and proven genetic markers will be used to

  1. assess stock structure and connectivity (rate of genetic exchange between stocks); and,
  2. assess the differences associated with the reproductive cycles of scallop stocks that are physically separate from one another.

This work will provide DFO with its most detailed (genetic-based) scallop stock structure analysis to date in relation to genetically-based adaptations that have occurred due to the environment, providing new and important information that would assist DFO managers in moderating risks to scallop stocks.

Scientific title for this project:

Assessing the spatial scale of dispersal and connectivity in non-indigenous green crab (Carcinus maenas) and commercial sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in Canadian waters using RAD-seq and high throughput SNP genotyping

Program Name

Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI)

Year(s)

2014 - 2017

Principal Investigator(s)

Dr. Claudio DiBacco
lead

Dr. Ian Bradbury

Lorraine Hamilton

Dr. Cynthia McKenzie

Dr. Stephen Smith

Leslie-Anne Davidson
Fisheries and Oceans Canada

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