Gametogenesis of an intertidal population of Mytilus trossulus in NW Greenland: not a limitation for potential Arctic range expansion
The drivers determining species’ northern distribution limits remain elusive and, combined with inadequate knowledge of past and current distribution ranges, this prevents accurate determination of potential changes in the Arctic. The northernmost population of the bivalve Mytilus trossulus is found...
| Published in: | Marine Ecology Progress Series |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/gametogenesis-of-an-intertidal-population-of-mytilus-trossulus-in-nw-greenland-not-a-limitation-for-potential-arctic-range-expansion(fe6b50ff-15b2-419e-bddd-8465084c80c4).html https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12179 |
| Summary: | The drivers determining species’ northern distribution limits remain elusive and, combined with inadequate knowledge of past and current distribution ranges, this prevents accurate determination of potential changes in the Arctic. The northernmost population of the bivalve Mytilus trossulus is found in north Greenland, an area characterised by low temperature, prolonged winters and a short productive period. This population, therefore, provides a unique opportunity to study whether a temperate bivalve species can sustain a population near its pole-ward distribution limit through reproduction. We assessed gametogenesis and biochemical composition in intertidal M. trossulus specimens during the ice-free period (July−September). Results showed that the qualitative traits of gametogenesis and oocyte production in this population were comparable to M. trossulus found in temperate regions. In addition, we found that M. trossulus larvae settle annually in the lowest intertidal zone, indicating successful fertilization of eggs and larval survival. Our combined results suggest that gonadal development or larval sur- vival do not limit the northern distribution of this species, even in a region characterized by limited food supply and sub-zero water temperatures for 9 mo of the year. Instead, for this marine invertebrate with a larval life-stage, oceanographic conditions and dispersal barriers, rather than physiological constraints, could be more important in determining the northern range limit. |
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