Genetic characterization of hybrids between species Mytilus edulis platensis and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mytilidae: Bivalvia) in the Chilean coast

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Abstract

Given the hybridization ability between species Mytilus edulis platensis and M. galloprovincialis, this research proposed to assess the genetic variability of the hybrid offspring in relation to pure species, using 8 loci microsatellites. The study found differences between hybrid offspring comparing to pure species. The hybrid offspring had the highest observed mean heterozygosity values (Ho = 0,63 ± 0,28) and low values of inbreeding, which tend to significant deviations to negative values of (Fis), demonstrating excess of heterozygote in hybrids comparing with pure species, which displayed significant deviations towards positive values of Fis. The principal component analysis shows three distinct groups among the samples analyzed, identifying the hybrid offspring as an intermediate group between pure species. 

Genetic differentiation coefficient F_st showndifferentiationvalues with high statistical significance for M. chilensis and hybrid offspring (F_st= 0,19757, P < 0,001), and for M. galloprovincialis and hybrid offspring (F_st= 0,13067, P < 0,001). This was confirmedwith a principal component analysis, where results clearly showed three different groups within the samples tested.

To conclude, differentiation of hybrids and discrimination in the three different groups is confirmed.

Valenzuela, A., Astorga, M., Oyarzún, P., & Toro, J. (2016). Genetic characterization of hybrids between species Mytilus edulis platensis and Mytilus galloprovincialis (Mytilidae: Bivalvia) in the Chilean coast. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 44(1), 171-176. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3856/vol44-issue1-fulltext-19

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