Using Biotechnology and Bioinformatics to Track a Marine Invader Based on the work of Dr. Jonathan Geller, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories and Dr. Caren Braby, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Marine Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Teacher Enhancement Program at Moss Landing Marine Labs

Outline Background Background Invasive species Invasive species Cryptic invaders Cryptic invaders Local mussels Local mussels Hypothesis Hypothesis Materials and methods Materials and methods The molecules The molecules Expected results Expected results Possible conclusions Possible conclusions Carcinus maenas, the European green crab, invader of the Pacific west coast. Photo credit: Jim Carlton

Invasive species Non-native species are organisms introduced into an environment in which they did not evolve Non-native species are organisms introduced into an environment in which they did not evolve Invasive species are non-native species that significantly out-compete native species Invasive species are non-native species that significantly out-compete native species Mostly introduced by humans Mostly introduced by humans Huge threat to biodiversity Huge threat to biodiversity Invasions are expensive! Invasions are expensive! Estimated >$137 billion Estimated >$137 billion in damages annually in the US in damages annually in the US Most marine invaders probably Most marine invaders probably came as larvae in ballast water Caulerpa taxifolia, an invasive marine alga, in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo credit: U. of Nice, France

The coasts of the world are interconnected by extensive shipping routes The coasts of the world are interconnected by extensive shipping routes Ocean-going ships use seawater for ballast (balance) Ocean-going ships use seawater for ballast (balance) Ballast water mages/carte_logistique.gif

Ballast water Water + plankton are moved great distances and released into foreign harbors Water + plankton are moved great distances and released into foreign harbors Planktonic organisms are alive and abundant after transport Planktonic organisms are alive and abundant after transport Reference: Carlton & Geller, 1993, Science

Cryptic invaders Cryptic invaders are obscure and quite difficult to track Cryptic invaders are obscure and quite difficult to track Many species with world-wide distribution may actually be successful cryptic invaders Many species with world-wide distribution may actually be successful cryptic invaders Modified from figure in Hilbish, et al Example of worldwide cryptic invasion in temperate zones

One cryptic marine invader Before 1988, all “Bay mussels” were considered Mytilus edulis Before 1988, all “Bay mussels” were considered Mytilus edulis Thought to be distributed world-wide in temperate areas Thought to be distributed world-wide in temperate areas

Genetic analysis Genetic studies uncovered three morphologically indistinguishable species: Genetic studies uncovered three morphologically indistinguishable species: Mytilus edulis Mytilus edulis Mytilus trossulus Mytilus trossulus Mytilus galloprovincialis Mytilus galloprovincialis Only one is a successful invader! Only one is a successful invader! Genetic markers are essential for species ID Genetic markers are essential for species ID Photo credit: J. Geller

World-wide distribution? Native ranges for each species were identified Native ranges for each species were identified Areas of hybridization were found Areas of hybridization were found Invasion events were mapped Invasion events were mapped Only M. galloprovincialis appears to invade, and it has done so repeatedly Only M. galloprovincialis appears to invade, and it has done so repeatedly All done with DNA analysis All done with DNA analysis References: Hilbish, et al., 2000, Marine Biology; Riginos & Cunningham, 2005, Molecular Ecology

Our Native Adapted from Hilbish, et al., 2000

Native

Native Our Invader Adapted from Hilbish, et al., 2000

Native Invader came from Mediterranean Sea Adapted from Hilbish, et al., 2000

Native Invader Possible scenario being studied now Adapted from Hilbish, et al., 2000

Invader displaces native Before 1930, only the native (M. trossulus) was found in W. Pacific Before 1930, only the native (M. trossulus) was found in W. Pacific In 1930s, the invader (M. galloprovincialis) arrived in Southern CA and displaced native In 1930s, the invader (M. galloprovincialis) arrived in Southern CA and displaced native Monterey Bay has a mixed population of native and invader Monterey Bay has a mixed population of native and invader Reference: Geller, 1999, Conservation Biology Reference: Geller, 1999, Conservation Biology Portland Moss Landing San Diego

Why do we care? Identify what makes a good invader Identify what makes a good invader Best to work with closely related species Best to work with closely related species How can an invader with limited genetic diversity out- compete the genetically diverse native? How can an invader with limited genetic diversity out- compete the genetically diverse native? How does an invader displace the native that has been selected for its niche? How does an invader displace the native that has been selected for its niche? How does the invader move up the coast to SF bay when it did not invade there from ballast water? How does the invader move up the coast to SF bay when it did not invade there from ballast water?

Quick Quiz A(n) _________ species is a non-native species that successfully out-competes the native species. A.robust B.invasive C.genetically superior D.cryptic

Quick Quiz All invasive species are non-native but not all non-native species are invasive. A.True B.False

Quick Quiz Which of the following is an invasive mussel species in California? A.M. galloprovincialis B.M. trossulus C.M. californianus D.M. edulis

Outline Background Background Invasive species Invasive species Cryptic invaders Cryptic invaders Local mussels Local mussels Hypothesis Hypothesis Materials and methods Materials and methods The molecules The molecules Expected results Expected results Possible conclusions Possible conclusions Carcinus maenas, the European green crab, invader of the Pacific west coast. Photo credit: Jim Carlton

Hypothesis As Mytilus galloprovincialis spreads northward, it hybridizes with AND displaces Mytilus trossulus The interbreeding of two species What is Hybridization?

What is a species? The Morphospecies Concept The Morphospecies Concept Old idea that says that species can be distinguished based solely on physical differences Old idea that says that species can be distinguished based solely on physical differences The Biological Species Concept The Biological Species Concept Newer idea that defines species as organisms that interbreed Newer idea that defines species as organisms that interbreed The Phylogenetic Species Concept The Phylogenetic Species Concept Newest idea that defines species based on DNA similarity Newest idea that defines species based on DNA similarity photo by Matt Chatfield

Materials and Methods Materials: Materials: Mussels collected from harbor Mussels collected from harbor "Mussel" is a common name for bivalves that attach using threads (byssus) "Mussel" is a common name for bivalves that attach using threads (byssus) Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Materials and Methods Methods: Methods:Biotechnology: DNA extraction DNA extraction PCR PCR Gel electrophoresis Gel electrophoresis DISCUSSSION DISCUSSSION

The Gene  Allows mussel byssal threads to stick to rocks  Shows variation between native and invader Glu = codes for adhesive protein

MT Glu - Interpreting results M = Marker G = Galloprovincialis (1 or 2 bands) (1 or 2 bands) T = Trossulus (1 smaller band) (1 smaller band) Hybrids would have a combo of the two patterns GGGGT

Quick Quiz M. galloprovincialis displaces M. trossulus by: A.coveting the best substrates B.tolerating more environmental changes C.genetic hybridization D.producing more offspring

Quick Quiz The invader will be distinguished from the native by: A.dissection B.behavior C.shell morphology D.genetic analysis

Flowchart

Bioinformatics Flowchart

Outline Background Background Invasive species Invasive species Cryptic invaders Cryptic invaders Local mussels Local mussels Hypothesis Hypothesis Materials and methods Materials and methods The molecules The molecules Expected results Expected results Possible conclusions Possible conclusions Carcinus maenas, the European green crab, invader of the Pacific west coast. Photo credit: Jim Carlton

Previous results Will displacement continue? Will displacement continue?or Will it stabilize? Will it stabilize?

Quick Quiz The data collected in this workshop will contribute to answering which of the following questions? A.Is M. trossulus good to eat? B.Is M. trossulus going extinct? C.Is M. galloprovincialis displacing M. trossulus? D.Is M. edulis threatened by M. galloprovincialis?

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