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Standardizing a Non-Lethal Method for Characterizing the Reproductive Status and Larval Development of Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionida)
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Inheritance of two M type mitochondrial DNA from sperm and unfertilized eggs to offspring in Mytilus

Mayu Obata1, Natsumi Sano, Kouichi Kawamura

  • 1Faculty of Bioresources, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya, Tsu 514-8507, Japan. mayu@ztv.ne.jp

Development, Growth & Differentiation
|May 16, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Mussels exhibit doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI), where males inherit paternal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and females inherit maternal mtDNA. This study confirms that both sperm and unfertilized eggs contribute M-type mtDNA to mussel offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Mitochondrial DNA inheritance in marine bivalves
  • Genetics and genomics of Mytilus species
  • Evolutionary biology of uniparental inheritance

Background:

  • Mytilus mussels display doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI), a rare mode of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) transmission.
  • Typically, males inherit paternal M-type mtDNA, while females inherit maternal F-type mtDNA.
  • Previous research indicated the presence of both M and F types in female mussels and unfertilized eggs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that both sperm and unfertilized eggs transmit M-type mtDNA to offspring in Mytilus galloprovincialis.
  • To determine the prevalence and inheritance patterns of M-type haplotypes in mature mussels and their larvae.

Main Methods:

  • Sequence analysis and PCR-RFLP were used to detect M-type haplotypes in mature Mytilus galloprovincialis.
  • Cross experiments were conducted to track M-type inheritance from parents to larvae.
  • Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was employed to analyze M-type transmission in larval samples.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct M-type mtDNA haplotypes were detected in 6 out of 20 mature mussels.
  • SNP analysis revealed a double peak wave in larval samples from 5 out of 12 crosses, indicating dual M-type inheritance.
  • Larvae predominantly inherited the paternal M-type mtDNA over the maternal M-type.

Conclusions:

  • This study demonstrates that Mytilus galloprovincialis offspring inherit two M-type mtDNA haplotypes, originating from both sperm and unfertilized eggs.
  • The findings provide strong evidence for the transmission of paternal M-type mtDNA from both gametes, expanding our understanding of DUI in mussels.

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