Using a quantitative trait nucleotide simulation to assess the impact of migration and thermal selection on local adaptation in a mussel hybrid zone

Marine environments face temperature change and novel introductions of invasive species, altering native species’ genetic makeup. Invasive species may occupy the range of a native species of the same genus, leading to a hybrid zone. A hybrid zone along the southeastern coast of Australia consists of invasive Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels and native Mytilus planulatus mussels. Populations with higher proportions of M. galloprovincialis genomes establish in warmer temperature regions. This study proposes to use a combination of evolutionary simulations and larval selection experiments to assess how migration, admixture, and thermal selection impact adaptation, and how climatic scenarios influence hybrid population survival.