Genome‐Wide Population Structure in a Marine Keystone Species, the European Flat Oyster ( <i>Ostrea edulis</i> )

Ostrea edulis, the European flat oyster, was once a widespread economically and ecologically important marine species, but has suffered dramatic declines over the past two centuries. Consequently, there has been a surge in European restoration efforts, many of which focus on restocking as a conservation measure. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data to investigate the population structure, demographic history, and patterns of local adaptation of O. edulis across its natural distribution with increased sampling densities at Scandinavian localities. Results revealed seven distinct genetic clusters, including previously undescribed complex population structure in Norway, and evidence for introgression between genetic clusters in Scandinavia. We detected large structural variants (SVs) on three pseudo-chromosomes. These megabase long regions were characterised by strong linkage disequilibrium and clear geographical differentiation, suggestive of chromosomal inversions potentially associated with local adaptation. The results indicated that genomic traces of past translocations of non-native O. edulis were still present in some individuals, but overall, we found limited evidence of major impacts of translocations on the scale of contemporary population structure. Our findings highlight the importance of considering population structure and signatures of selection in the design of effective conservation strategies to preserve and restore wild native European flat oyster populations, and we provide direct knowledge safeguarding sustainable mitigation actions in this important species.

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Publication Details

Journal
Molecular Ecology
Published
2024-11-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17573
Citations
6
Primary Topic
Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.70

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article

Genome‐Wide Population Structure in a Marine Keystone Species, the European Flat Oyster ( Ostrea edulis )

Ane T. Laugen, Homère J. Alves Monteiro, Jakob Hemmer‐Hansen, Åsa Strand et al.
6 citations
Molecular Ecology
Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
1.70
article

Genome‐Wide Population Structure in a Marine Keystone Species, the European Flat Oyster ( Ostrea edulis )

Ane T. Laugen, Homère J. Alves Monteiro, Jakob Hemmer‐Hansen, Åsa Strand, George Pacheco, Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Nina Overgaard Therkildsen, Dorte Bekkevold, Chloé Robert, Dorte Meldrup, Pierre De Wit, Stein Mortensen, Arnaud Tanguy, Runyang Nicolas Lou, Camille Saurel
article en
6 citations

Abstract

Ostrea edulis, the European flat oyster, was once a widespread economically and ecologically important marine species, but has suffered dramatic declines over the past two centuries. Consequently, there has been a surge in European restoration efforts, many of which focus on restocking as a conservation measure. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data to investigate the population structure, demographic history, and patterns of local adaptation of O. edulis across its natural distribution with increased sampling densities at Scandinavian localities. Results revealed seven distinct genetic clusters, including previously undescribed complex population structure in Norway, and evidence for introgression between genetic clusters in Scandinavia. We detected large structural variants (SVs) on three pseudo-chromosomes. These megabase long regions were characterised by strong linkage disequilibrium and clear geographical differentiation, suggestive of chromosomal inversions potentially associated with local adaptation. The results indicated that genomic traces of past translocations of non-native O. edulis were still present in some individuals, but overall, we found limited evidence of major impacts of translocations on the scale of contemporary population structure. Our findings highlight the importance of considering population structure and signatures of selection in the design of effective conservation strategies to preserve and restore wild native European flat oyster populations, and we provide direct knowledge safeguarding sustainable mitigation actions in this important species.

Molecular EcologyVol. 34(23)
University of Copenhagen (DK), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), University of Oslo (NO), University of Agder (NO), Cornell University (US), Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (NO), Station Biologique de Roscoff (FR), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE), Sorbonne Université (FR), IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (SE), Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin (FR), Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (US), University of Gothenburg (SE), University of California, Berkeley (US), Technical University of Denmark (DK), University of Edinburgh (GB)
University of Essex, Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas, Vetenskapsrådet, European Regional Development Fund, Interreg, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Marine Bivalve and Aquaculture Studies
1.70
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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