Population genetic structure of the solitary sea-squirt Styela plicata over time at Masonboro Sound

Christopher Dey

Abstract

Styela plicata is a globally introduced ascidian species of indeterminate origin, but considered nonnative within North Carolina (NC) waters. Population genetic variability is an important first step in understanding the invasive potential of the species, as it can reveal much about their introduction pathways and adaptability potential. In order to assess the genetic variation in an established S. plicata population, thirty individuals were collected in January 2020 from Masonboro Sound in Wilmington by graduate students attending BIO 534. Because of Covid-19, the Lab component of this study was suspended in March 2020. A few months later, as part of my BIO 491, I finished analyzing the samples collected in January 2020 and sequenced a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for the 30 individuals.

Faculty Advisor: Susanna Lopez-Legentil

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