Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

CONSEQUENCES OF LIFE HISTORY VARIATION IN FRESHWATER MUSSELS: DEMOGRAPHY AND HOST RELATIONSHIPS

Levine, Todd D.

Abstract Details

2009, Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, Zoology.
The evolutionary potential of species resides at the population level. Demographic features, selective pressures, and linkages between populations all influence the evolutionary potential and trajectory of species. Because parasite population dynamics are obligately linked to those of their hosts, parasite evolutionary potential may be dictated by interactions with their hosts. Freshwater mussels in the superfamily Unionoidea are unique among parasites, exhibiting very long free-living stages and are the object of conservation efforts. The study of these mussels provides two-fold benefits: conservation of a unique taxon and provision of data from animals that contrast stereotypical parasites. To examine the population dynamics of mussels, I studied Popenaias popeii, a mussel that inhabits desert rivers in the southwestern United States. I studied the demographics of adult mussels using a 10 year mark-and-recapture dataset, with which I examined the interplay between survival and environmental variables. High flows reduced survival, an effect that may be somewhat ameliorated by the use of habitat refuges. My analysis indicates this population is stable, given that their habitat remains suitable. Second, I studied infestation of fishes by P. popeii and contrasted these results with those from laboratory studies. Many more fishes were identified as potential hosts for P. popeii when only laboratory success was used as a criterion for determining whether they were hosts. Natural barriers to infestation likely reduced the total number of individuals and species that could be infested, reflecting a marked difference between the fundamental and realized niches. Natural infestations must overcome many barriers to infestation including immunology, behavior and phenology. Finally, I examined the population genetic structure of two mussels in the genus Quadrula, whose distributions remain relatively intact. Using mtDNA, I analyzed the relationships between populations ranging from Louisiana to Ontario and Manitoba. Quadrula pustulosa exhibited isolation-by-distance, while the relationship between populations of Q. quadrula could not be predicted by the distance between them. Whereas Q. pustulosa had more haplotypes, Q. quadrula had more substitutions between haplotypes, which may indicate that Q. quadrula is an older taxon. Both species had lower genetic diversities in glaciated regions and contained unique variability in the Central Highlands.
David Berg, PhD (Advisor)
R. James Hickey, PhD (Committee Member)
Brian Keane, PhD (Committee Member)
Ann Rypstra, PhD (Committee Member)
Michael Vanni, PhD (Committee Member)
113 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Levine, T. D. (2009). CONSEQUENCES OF LIFE HISTORY VARIATION IN FRESHWATER MUSSELS: DEMOGRAPHY AND HOST RELATIONSHIPS [Doctoral dissertation, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1241565696

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Levine, Todd. CONSEQUENCES OF LIFE HISTORY VARIATION IN FRESHWATER MUSSELS: DEMOGRAPHY AND HOST RELATIONSHIPS. 2009. Miami University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1241565696.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Levine, Todd. "CONSEQUENCES OF LIFE HISTORY VARIATION IN FRESHWATER MUSSELS: DEMOGRAPHY AND HOST RELATIONSHIPS." Doctoral dissertation, Miami University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1241565696

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)