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Title: Characterization of microsatellite loci in the European green crab (Carcinus maenas),
Description: Carcinus maenas (Decapoda: Portunidae) has proven a highly successful invasive marine species whose potential economic and ecological impacts are of great concern worldwide. Here, we characterize 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in C. maenas and its sister species Carcinus aestuarii. These markers will prove useful for fine-scale genetic analyses of native and introduced populations, for assessment of the sources and routes of invasion and for evaluation of post-invasion population dynamics. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Cited By (since 1996):14, Invertebrates, CODEN: MENOC, ,
Author: Tepolt, Bagley, Geller, Blum
Date: 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Genetic patterns across multiple introductions of the globally invasive crab genus Carcinus,
Description: The European green crab Carcinus maenas is one of the world's most successful aquatic invaders, having established populations on every continent with temperate shores. Here we describe patterns of genetic diversity across both the native and introduced ranges of C. maenas and its sister species, C. aestuarii, including all known non-native populations. The global data set includes sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, as well as multilocus genotype data from nine polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci. Combined phylogeographic and population genetic analyses clarify the global colonization history of C. maenas, providing evidence of multiple invasions to Atlantic North America and South Africa, secondary invasions to the northeastern Pacific, Tasmania, and Argentina, and a strong likelihood of C. maenas x C. aestuarii hybrids in South Africa and Japan. Successful C. maenas invasions vary broadly in the degree to which they retain genetic diversity, although populations with the least variation typically derive from secondary invasions or from introductions that occurred more than 100 years ago., Cited By (since 1996):54, CODEN: MOECE, ,
Author: Darling, Bagley, Roman, Tepolt, Geller
Date: 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: European green crabs (Carcinus maenas) in the Northeastern Pacific,
Description: Aim The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) expanded dramatically after its introduction to the west coast of North America, spreading over 1000 km in < 10 years. We use samples of Carcinus maenas collected over time and space to investigate the genetic patterns underlying the species' initial establishment and spread, and discuss our findings in the context of the species' life history characteristics and demography. Location The central west coast of North America, encompassing California, Oregon, and Washington (USA) and British Columbia (Canada). Methods We collected 1040 total samples from 21 sites representing the major episodes of population establishment and expansion along the west coast of North America. Microsatellite markers were used to assess genetic diversity and structure at different time points in the species' spread, to investigate connectivity between embayments and to estimate both short-term effective population sizes and the number of original founders. Assignment testing was performed to determine the likely source of the introduction. Results Carcinus maenas in western North America likely derived from a single introduction of a small number of founders to San Francisco Bay, CA from the east coast of North America. Throughout its western North American range, the species experiences periodic migration between embayments, resulting in a minor loss of genetic diversity in more recently established populations versus the populations in the area of initial establishment. Main conclusions Low genetic diversity has not precluded the ability of C. maenas to successfully establish and spread on the west coast of North America. An efficient oceanographic transport mechanism combined with highly conducive life history traits are likely the major drivers of C. maenas spread. Evidence for a single introduction underscores the potential utility of early detection and eradication of high-risk invasive species. © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Cited By (since 1996):9, Invertebrates, CODEN: DIDIF, ,
Author: Tepolt, Darling, Bagley, Geller, Blum, Grosholz
Date: 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Microsatellite variation, effective population size, and population genetic structure of vermilion snapper, Rhomboplites aurorubens, off the southeastern USA,
Description: Vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) were collected from four sites off the Atlantic coast of the USA and one site in the Gulf of Mexico to evaluate effective population size and genetic stock structure. Previous studies had suggested geographic variation in the ratio of males to females, so this population characteristic was explored in conjunction with the genetic analysis. Sex ratio varied greatly among the five sample sites; males comprised 57% of samples in the Gulf of Mexico, while within the South Atlantic Bight they comprised between 36% (Morehead City, North Carolina) and 53% (Carolina Beach, North Carolina) of samples. No clear geographic trends in the sex ratio emerged; instead, it was found to vary with fish length, the percentage of males decreasing with increasing size. Allelic variation assessed at seven dinucleotide microsatellite loci was large; gene diversities ranged from 0.43 to 0.95 and allelic counts from 7 to 39. Estimates of the effective population size ranged from 24 500 (based on the infinite-alleles model) to 150 500 (based on the stepwise-mutation model). There was evidence for excess homozygosity within samples: estimates of F(IS) (the correlation of alleles within individuals) ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 among the seven loci, and three estimates were significantly greater than zero. Differentiation among localities was very weak, as estimates of F(ST) (the correlation of alleles within populations) were on the order of 0.001 to 0.002 and genetic distance estimates between localities were not related to geographic distances. This suggested that vermilion snapper in the South Atlantic Bight (Cape Hatteras, North Carolina to Cape Canaveral, Florida) and Gulf of Mexico are likely to consist of one genetic stock. Despite the overall homogeneity, there were indications of a temporally dynamic local structure that would bear further examination., Cited By (since 1996):33, CODEN: MBIOA, ,
Author: Bagley, Lindquist, Geller
Date: 1999-01-01T00:00:00Z