Data from: Population genomics and connectivity of the blue mussel species complex: Insights from a North-east Atlantic hybrid zone
Data files
Dec 02, 2025 version files 470.39 KB
-
Cariolato_et_al_2025_MytilusIrish_PopGenomics.txt
468.50 KB
-
README.md
1.90 KB
Abstract
Blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) are ecologically and economically important bivalves widespread in both hemispheres. Their relevance to coastal ecosystems and the aquaculture industry has made them extensively studied. The Mytilus complex consists of distinct genetic lineages, including Mytilus edulis, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Mytilus trossulus, and their fertile hybrids. In overlapping areas, they create complex hybrid zones, which have been investigated along European coasts, employing multi-marker approaches. However, knowledge gaps still exist in the North-east Atlantic region, in the middle of their hybrid zone around the island of Ireland, regarding their genomic composition, population structure, and connectivity. This study addresses these gaps by genotyping 781 individuals from 26 sites encompassing Ireland’s hybrid zone, including both wild and farmed stocks from varying environmental conditions. Using a selected panel of 72 SNP markers, we examined relationships among genotypic composition, genetic diversity, isolation by distance (IBD), and environmental variables to identify drivers of Mytilus genetic structure. Results confirmed two distinct genetic lineages and their hybrids, with a clear geographic pattern: the east coast of Ireland is dominated by pure M. edulis genotype populations, while the south, west, and north coasts exhibit varying degrees of admixture with M. galloprovincialis genotype. Pure M. galloprovincialis populations were identified at specific sites on the west and north coast. Sea current resistance and wave height were significant predictors for both genotype composition and genetic differentiation. This study corroborates previous findings and provides the first comprehensive investigation of Irish Mytilus spp. Population structure and connectivity using a multi-marker approach. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the Mytilus complex’s composition and population dynamics to inform sustainable aquaculture practices and monitor potential climate change-driven shifts in the North-east Atlantic region.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.t1g1jwtgj
Description of the data and file structure
Files and variables
File: Cariolato_et_al_2025_MytilusIrish_PopGenomics.txt
This txt file contains the Genepop .GEN file format is used for the population genomics analyses performed in RStudio.
For each individuals, each column encodes for the genotype of each SNP marker (following the order of the markers listed).
E.g. individual A1 has 300300 for SNP marker "108748_B", therefore homozygous for GG
Finally, each population is separated by "pop" line. Populations and individuals codes are reported in the Table 1 of the manuscript.
- List of SNPs markers name
- List of individuals name separated by populations (i.e. "pop") and following the code of Table 1
- Genotype data encoded as in .GEN file for Genepop software/R package, in a three digit format
- A: 100
- C: 200
- G: 300
- T: 400
- No calls: 000
Code/software
The txt file can be saved as .gen to transformed it in "genind" file and can be imported in RStudio using the function "read.genepop" of the RStudio package "adegenet". adegenet package info
Access information
Data was derived from the following sources:
- SNPs markers were retrieved from previously published studies (as correctly reported in the manuscript)
- Fraïsse et al., 2016; https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.13299
- Hammel et al., 2021; https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.16052
- Simon et al., 2018; https://doi.org/10.1002/evl3.66
- Wilson et al., 2018; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200654
