Meeting Abstract

P2-87   -   Asessing the Population Genetic Structure of the Invasive Isopod Parasite Orthione griffenis Curcio, ER*; Li, J; Chapman, JW; University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Colorado, Boulder; Oregon State University emily.curcio@colorado.edu

The Pacific intertidal blue mud shrimp, Upogebia pugettensis, is a keystone species in marine estuaries throughout the Northeast Pacific. However, U. pugettensis populations are declining due to the invasive bopyrid isopod parasite, Orthione griffenis, which castrates its host. The ecology and population genetics of O. griffenis is understudied, hindering our ability to develop any conservation strategies. For example, it is unknown whether O. griffenis was introduced once or multiple times, how connected their populations are, or if the parasite has evolved local adaptions since its introduction. This research aims to conduct preliminary population genetic studies on O. griffenis along the West coast and establish foundations to investigate the above questions. Using ddRADseq methodologies, we examined genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across seven O. griffenis populations. Preliminary results indicate a lack of differentiation among O. griffenis populations ranging from California to Alaska. This suggests that O. griffenis has great dispersal ability and their population connectivity does not appear to be influenced by potential physical or ecological barriers. This high dispersal ability may contribute to the parasite’s fast spreading in North America. This research will help to better understand the parasitic relationship between O. griffenis and its host genus Upogebia, thus informing conservation efforts to protect the declining shrimp populations.