Rapid divergence of mussel populations despite incomplete barriers to dispersal

Striking genetic structure among marine populations at small spatial scales is becoming evident with extensive molecular studies. Such observations suggest isolation at small scales may play an important role in forming patterns of genetic diversity within species. Isolation-by-distance, isolation-by-environment, and historical priority effects are umbrella terms for a suite of processes that underlie genetic structure, but their relative importance at different spatial and temporal scales remains elusive. Here, we use marine lakes in Indonesia to assess genetic structure and test relative roles of the processes in shaping genetic differentiation in populations of a bivalve mussel (Brachidontes sp.). Marine lakes are landlocked water bodies of similar age (6,000 – 10,000 years), but with heterogeneous environments and varying degrees of connection to the sea. Using a population genomic approach (double-digest Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing), we show strong genetic structurin...