Genetic divergence and adaptation of an isolated European lobster population in the Netherlands

• DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsae059
• Publication Date: 2024-05-08T08:29:01Z
• Authors: Charlie D Ellis; Josephine R Paris; Tom L Jenkins; Marnix R van Stralen; Nathalie A Steins; Jildou Schotanus; Jamie R Stevens
• Keywords: Genetic divergence; Divergence (linguistics); Local adaptation

Abstract Identifying isolated populations is a key step towards enacting effective conservation management. European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) from Oosterschelde in the Netherlands are subject to fishery pressure and have previously been reported as genetically differentiated. They also putatively of transplanted origin subsequently endured recent bottlenecking environmental change. We assessed evaluate their demographic independence appraise potential founder effects evolutionary responses isolation. Using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing, we genotyped 6185 single nucleotide polymorphisms across 188 individuals 27 sites Atlantic range H. gammarus investigate population genetic diversity, structure, adaptation. Our results show that divergent other stocks. evidence extensive differentiation via both neutral outlier loci, indicative strong biophysical isolation, detect signatures reduced diversity may reflect weak or subsequent contractions. Among identify candidates for range-wide local adaptation variants genes important biological functionality link private allele locus potentially conveying adaptive tolerance hypoxia. Given our findings, advise proactive monitoring explore whether existing management measures effectively conserve this discrete, self-recruiting population.