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SFS Annual Meeting

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PHYLOGEOGRAPHY AND POST-GLACIAL COLONIZATION HISTORY OF THE IMPERILED FRESHWATER MUSSEL, OBOVARIA OLIVARIA

Obovaria olivaria is a freshwater mussel (order: Unionida) from the Mississippi River and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River drainages of central North America. This mussel, like many other unionid species has experienced population declines across its large parts of its distribution and is considered imperiled in many jurisdictions. Obovaria olivaria uses the similarly imperiled Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) as a host. Lake Sturgeon declines were the result of historical overharvest, damming of rivers, and pollution and may have affected O. olivaria populations. Understanding the genetic structure, diversity, and phylogeography of remaining populations of O. olivaria will assist in the development of conservation and recovery strategies. Obovaria olivaria samples were collected from 16 sites across its distribution in the upper Mississippi River system, tributaries of the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence River system (n = 141). Using COI mtDNA sequences, the genetic structure and diversity of O. olivaria from across the species’ range will be examined. These analyses should reveal insights into the post-glacial colonization history of O. olivaria into the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River system that will be relevant for making informed conservation decisions for this species.

Jamie Bucholz (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Alabama, jbucholz@crimson.ua.edu;


David T. Zanatta (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Central Michigan University, zanat1d@cmich.edu;