RAPTURE (RAD capture) panel facilitates analyses characterizing sea lamprey reproductive ecology and movement...

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Ecology
• Fisheries Science

Background:

• Genomic tools are currently limited for both invasive and native sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations.
• Understanding population structure and reproductive ecology is crucial for managing sea lamprey in the Great Lakes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discover single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci for sea lamprey pedigree analysis.
• To quantify reproductive contributions of adult sea lampreys and larval dispersion.
• To explore broader applications using geographically diverse samples.

Main Methods:

• Employed restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) to identify genetic variation.
• Developed RAD capture baits to genotype 3,446 RAD loci with 11,970 SNPs.
• Analyzed SNP allele frequency variance across five Great Lakes tributary populations.

Main Results:

• SNP data showed low population structure (mean FST 0.008) but identified outlier loci influencing spatial genetic structure.
• Simulations confirmed high accuracy in genetic pedigree reconstruction with 200-500 loci, even with high spawner abundance.
• Larval sea lamprey families (age-1 and age-2) exhibited nonrandom distribution within stream reaches.

Conclusions:

• The developed genomic SNP loci provide a powerful tool for sea lamprey research.
• Enables rapid genotyping for population structuring and reproductive ecology studies across native and invasive ranges.
• Facilitates ecological and management investigations at unprecedented scales.