Genetic diversity in the pulmonate snail Melampus bidentatus Dr. John P. Wares University of Georgia

Department of Genetics University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30606 USA

jpwares@uga.edu https://www.genetics.uga.edu/directory/people/john-wares/ Georgia Coastal Ecosystems LTER Project

Dept. of Marine Sciences University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30602-3636 USA

gcelter@uga.edu https://gce-lter.marsci.uga.edu/ Dr. John P. Wares University of Georgia

Department of Genetics University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30606 USA

jpwares@uga.edu https://www.genetics.uga.edu/directory/people/john-wares/ Principal investigator 2009-01-01 John D. Robinson University of Georgia

Department of Genetics University of Georgia Athens Georgia 30602 USA

robinson.johnd@gmail.com Graduate research assistant 2009-01-01 Jesyka Melendez University of Puerto Rico – Cayey

University of Puerto Rico – Cayey

Undergraduate research assistant 2009-01-01 2026

The Wares Lab is examining genetic diversity in the pulmonate snail Melampus bidentatus associated with hammocks in the GCE domain. Data on genetic diversity of M. bidentatus can eventually be correlated with multiple variables measured by other GCE scientists at the same hammocks. In initial analyses, however, we found a significant (p<0.03) association between genetic diversity at a site and the size of the hammock, with small (<1 Ha) hammocks tending to have zero haplotypic diversity. This result is preliminary, and work will continue on M. bidentatus in the Wares lab. However, what it suggests is that the upland marsh habitats associated with hammocks may function as a classic metapopulation, with extinction more likely in smaller patches, and relatively rapid recolonization via small propagule pools (carrying low diversity).

Question 5: What is the relative importance of larval transport versus the conditions of the adult environment in determining community and genetic structure across both the longitudinal and lateral gradients of the estuarine landscape? (more information)

LTER NSF GCE Melampus bidentatus genetic hammock metapopulation Overall geographic extent of the research project -81.370752 -81.357256 31.463533 31.448419 2009-01-01 2012-11-01

National Science Foundation grant number OCE-0620959

estuary marsh complex Meridian - Inland marsh and tidal creek site near Meridian, Georgia. The primary marsh site is to the south of the dock in front of the Sapelo Island Visitor Center. Some small creeks and one large creek (Hudson Creek) are present. Upland is heavily forested. Marsh to the north of the dock can be used for additional studies if larger areas are required. Upland to the North is being developed for residential use, so future access is uncertain. The USGS super station site (weather station plus multiple-sensor sonde) is deployed off the ferry dock. Salinity is similar to seawater because there is little freshwater input from the upland. -81.370752 -81.357256 31.463533 31.448419