Spawning, fertilization, and molecular methodologies to study relative fertilization success of recently masculinized and standard male mitotypes of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis

Chiasson, E. (2014). Spawning, fertilization, and molecular methodologies to study relative fertilization success of recently masculinized and standard male mitotypes of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:1111

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Title

Spawning, fertilization, and molecular methodologies to study relative fertilization success of recently masculinized and standard male mitotypes of the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis

Author
Chiasson, Emilie
Call Number

LE3 .A278 2014

Date

2014

Supervisor

Stewart, Don

Degree Grantor

Acadia University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Degree Level

Honours

Discipline

Biology

Affiliation

Biology

Abstract

The blue mussel Mytilus edulis exhibits a unique pattern of mitochondrial DNA transmission known as doubly uniparental inheritance. This unique pattern includes mitochondrial DNA that comes from two lineages, one from each parent. Male type (M-type) mtDNA is transmitted to sons via sperm while female type (F-type) is transmitted to daughters through eggs. Occasionally there is an “invasion” of the F-type mtDNA within the male inheritance scheme creating a “recently masculinized” (RM) male mitotype. This RM male type is highly similar to the F genome except for the insertion through genetic recombination of an M-type coding region. The purpose of this investigation was to develop methodology for spawning and fertilization trials for the future investigation into relative fertilization success between mitotypes. Mussels were collected from Nova Scotia and induced to spawn through chemical, thermal and/or mechanical stimulation. Sperm and eggs were mixed and incubated for 48 hours at 16°C. Suspensions were inspected for successful fertilization microscopically by the detection of viable larvae. RM males were at extremely low frequencies among samples collected in 2013, which precluded sperm competition trials. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction primers were generated for the standard male (SM) mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) subunit using previously determined SM sequences, which were compared to RM and F-type sequences. Primers were run on a temperature gradient to optimize annealing temperature. Primers successfully amplified an SM sample and fertilization success was observed in all trials. Investigating relative fertilization success between mitotypes could have implications for aquaculture practices for generating increased yields. Methodologies are now in place for further development of quantitative PCR analyses.

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The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

Permanent Link

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:1111

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