Sapelo Research Application Form
Research Application ID: GCE-151-2026 (submitted: 02/12/2026, status: approved)
Provide a brief title for web display
Does environmental filtering influence genomic and phenotypic diversity in Geukensia demissa?
Investigator Information
On Island Sponsor: GCE SINERR UGAMI GADNR
| Principal Investigator: | John P. Wares | ||
| Home Institution: | University of Georgia | ||
| Award Information: | GCE-LTER sub-award in years 1 and 2, NSF, $89K | ||
| Mailing Address: | Department of Genetics | Phone Number: | (706) 542-7720 |
| University of Georgia | E-mail Address: | jpwares@uga.edu | |
| Athens, Georgia 30606 | |||
| Co-investigators: | |||
Briefly describe the project goals and methodology
We will sample ribbed mussels from mid- and low-marsh regions across the GCE domain at sites that present consistently high salinity and consistently low salinity. These mussels will be assessed using whole genome resequencing methods to identify potentially deterministic regions of the genome that are associated with distinct environments. Such information will contextualize subsequent studies of growth, mortality, nutrient cycling, and other variation in ecology or phenotype of mussels across the GCE domain.
Where will the project be located?
primarily GCE sites 1, 4, 3, 6, 10 but likely additional GCE sites and other paired sites on regional estuaries
How will you provide GPS coordinates for study sites?
I will provide a spreadsheet containing GPS coordinates for my study sites
What are the expected start and end dates of the project?
Start Date: 06/01/2026 End Date: 09/01/2028
How many people will access the site and at what frequency?
3 people will access each site once this summer
Please list keywords (as many as are appropriate) that describe your project:
What equipment will be deployed in the field?
NA
Will plants or animals be collected as part of this study?
Geukensia demissa, 25-30 per sampled site. GDNR Scientific Collecting Permit applied for in December 2025.
What are the likely impacts of the project on the site?
NA
Will the project design include boardwalks? If not, explain why not.
How long will impacts persist after the research is concluded?
NA