Coalescent models characterize sources and demographic history of recent round goby colonization of Great Lakes and inland waters

The establishment and spread of aquatic invasive species is ecologically and economically harmful and a source of conservation concern internationally. Processes of species invasion have traditionally been inferred from observational data of species presence/absence and relative abundance. However, genetic-based approaches can provide valuable sources of inference. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing was used to identify and genotype single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci for Round Gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) (N=440) from 18 sampling locations in the Great Lakes and in three Michigan, USA drainages (Flint, Au Sable, and Cheboygan River basins). Sampled rivers differed in size, accessibility, and physical characteristics including man-made dispersal barriers. Population levels of genetic diversity and inter-population variance in SNP allele frequency were used in coalescence-based Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) to statistically compare models representing competing ...