HR: 14:45h
AN: NB13C-06    [Abstracts]
TI: Phylogeography of Cambarus tenebrosus: a Facultative Cave-Dwelling Freshwater Crayfish Species.
AU: * Finlay, J
EM: jamesfinlay@gmail.com
AF: Brigham Young University Integrative Biology Department, 401 Widtsoe Building, Provo, UT 84602 United States
AU: Buhay, J E
EM: crayfish@byu.edu
AF: Brigham Young University Integrative Biology Department, 401 Widtsoe Building, Provo, UT 84602 United States
AU: Crandall, K A
EM: kac@email.byu.edu
AF: Brigham Young University Molecular Biology and Integrative Biology Departments, 401 Widtsoe Building, Provo, UT 84602 United States
AB: Cambarus tenebrosus is a unique freshwater crayfish species, inhabiting both subterranean and surface habitats in southeastern United States. This facultative cave-dweller is found in all aquatic karst areas within its range, including deep pits, massive underground rivers, springs, and surface streams, which makes this species ideal for a phylogeographic study. The objectives of our research are to: 1.) determine if C. tenebrosus is a single lineage or represents multiple cryptic species using phylogenetic methods, 2.) evaluate the evolutionary history and current gene flow patterns of C. tenebrosus using Nested Clade Analysis, and 3.) assess genetic diversity and conservation status of the species. We have gathered molecular genetic data from over 300 individuals from cave and surface environments across the entire range, with focus on the Cumberland Plateau from Kentucky to Alabama. Preliminary findings suggest that there are several clades of C. tenebrosus, but these clades geographically overlap in many areas. There is also no association between genetics and habitat (surface vs. subsurface), suggesting that there is gene flow between the two environment types. The origin of the species appears to be around Western Kentucky and Indiana, which then expanded southward down the Cumberland Plateau.
DE: 9810 New fields (not classifiable under other headings)
DE: 9901 NABS Student Award - Basic Research
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly