Genetic analysis and population genetic structure of hard-shelled mussel, Mytilus coruscus Gould 1861 (Mytiloida: Mytilidae) from the coasts of South Korea based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase (COI) gene sequences

• Published in: Genes & genomics Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 577 - 585
• Main Authors: Yi, Chang Ho, Yoon, Moongeun, Kim, Ji Min, Kim, Il-Hun, Cho, In-Young, An, Hye Suck
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 01-06-2021; Springer Nature B.V; 한국유전학회
• Subjects: Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Bivalvia - enzymology; Bivalvia - genetics; Coasts; Conservation; Cytochrome; Cytochrome-c oxidase; DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics; Electron Transport Complex IV - genetics; Evolution; Genetic analysis; Genetic diversity; Genetic structure; Genetic Variation - genetics; Genetics, Population; Haplotypes; Haplotypes - genetics; Human Genetics; Humans; Life Sciences; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microsatellite Repeats - genetics; Mitochondria - enzymology; Mitochondrial DNA; Mollusks; Mytilidae; Mytilus - enzymology; Mytilus - genetics; Mytilus coruscus; Nucleotide sequence; Phylogeny; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Population; Population genetics; Population structure; Population studies; Republic of Korea; Research Article; Species; 생물학; Republic of Korea; East China Sea; South Korea; Mitochondrial DNA COI; Genetic diversity; Haplotype; Gould 1861; Conservation; Mytilus coruscus Gould 1861
• ISSN: 1976-9571; 2092-9293
• DOI: 10.1007/s13258-021-01073-4

Background
Mytilus coruscus
Gould, 1861 is a mussel species in the family Mytilidae, native to the Northwest Pacific Ocean, ranging from the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea, and as far as the Peter the Great Gulf in the East Sea. In Korea, this species has been heavily exploited for nutrient-rich food resources and experienced severe reduction in their population.
Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure and to provide baseline data to facilitate the conservation and sustainable use of the vulnerable species
M. coruscus
in South Korea.
Methods
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences of 91 adult individuals from four islands and one coastal localities in South Korea were sequenced. We then compared genetic diversity and haplotype data with previously published Chinese wild populations.
Results
Mytilus coruscus
populations on Korean coasts were found to exhibit high genetic diversity despite concerns regarding recent population reduction. A total of 42 haplotypes were defined by 56 polymorphic sites. High-level genetic diversity was observed on four Island sites (Hd = 0.906–0.955, π = 0.0068–0.0090). The other seashore site represented relatively lower genetic diversity (Hd = 0.529, π = 0.0011) and was genetically differentiated from the others. In a previous study, wild populations on the East China Sea exhibited similarly high genetic diversity as that observed in our study. Additionally, Chinese
M. coruscus
populations exhibit a distinct regional haplotype distribution pattern while sharing six haplotypes with Korean populations.
Conclusions
The results of this study provide insights that further the current understanding regarding the evolution of
M. coruscus
species and provides comprehensive genetic data to facilitate the development of an effective conservation strategy.