Molecular genetic differentiation in earthworms inhabiting a heterogeneous Pb-polluted landscape

Andre, J., King, R. A., Stürzenbaum, S. R., Kille, P., Hodson, M. E. and Morgan, A. J. (2010) Molecular genetic differentiation in earthworms inhabiting a heterogeneous Pb-polluted landscape. Environmental Pollution, 158 (3). pp. 883-890. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.09.021

Abstract/Summary

A Pb-mine site situated on acidic soil, but comprising of Ca-enriched islands around derelict buildings was used to study the spatial pattern of genetic diversity in Lumbricus rubellus. Two distinct genetic lineages ('A' and 'B'), differentiated at both the mitochondrial (mtDNA COII) and nuclear level (AFLPs) were revealed with a mean inter-lineage mtDNA sequence divergence of approximately 13%, indicative of a cryptic species complex. AFLP analysis indicates that lineage A individuals within one central 'ecological island' site are uniquely clustered, with little genetic overlap with lineage A individuals at the two peripheral sites. FTIR microspectroscopy of Pb-sequestering chloragocytes revealed different phosphate profiles in residents of adjacent acidic and calcareous islands. Bioinformatics found over-representation of Ca pathway genes in ESTPb libraries. Subsequent sequencing of a Ca-transport gene, SERCA, revealed mutations in the protein's cytosolic domain. We recommend the mandatory genotyping of all individuals prior to field-based ecotoxicological assays, particularly those using discriminating genomic technologies.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/4353
Identification Number/DOI	10.1016/j.envpol.2009.09.021
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Geography and Environmental Science Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Earth Systems Science Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Soil Research Centre
Uncontrolled Keywords	Ecotoxicology; Pb & Ca; Genotyping; FTIR; cDNA-libraries (SERCA)
Publisher	Elsevier
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item