The Blackstone Valley Watershed provides a unique opportunity to study phylogeographic relationships between two related crayfish species, Orconectes virilis and O. quinebaugensis. Crayfish were collected from various sites in the watershed and individuals were analyzed for the COI mitochondrial gene, a microsatellite allele (Ov54), and pleopod and chelae morphology. The COI gene had two haplotypes associated with O. virilis and with O. quinebaugensis. The Ov54 locus yielded three genotypes, AA, BB, and AB. The Ov54 genotype was dependent on COI haplotype (p<0.05) and both Ov54 genotype and COI haplotype were significantly related to pleopod angle. We consider these results in the context of possible introgression between the two species.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Saltzman, Laura A.
• McMurrough, Mallory Rose

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-043009-143347

Advisor

• Mathews, Lauren M.

Year

• 2009

Date created

• 2009-04-30

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-01-06