Population Genetic Structure of Ariolimax columbianus around Corvallis, Oregon, USA

Abstract

Urbanization has been previously shown to affect evolution of plants and animals by restricting gene flow, increasing genetic drift, and causing divergent selection between rural and urban populations, however, the effect of urbanization on terrestrial gastropod evolution has only been minimally researched. Most research on terrestrial gastropods primarily focusing on invasive pest species, and little attention is given to native species like Ariolimax columbianus (Pacific banana slug). There is no current published research on the phylogeography of A. columbianus. In this study, surface epithelial cells from 66 Ariolimax columbianus individuals were collected from 11 locations around Corvallis, Oregon, and one site in northern California. These samples were amplified and sequenced at two loci: cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2). This data was used to generate maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees to better understand the population genetics of these local native gastropods. The CO1 phylogenetic analysis showed two major haplotypes around the city of Corvallis - northwestern and southern, while the ITS-2 phylogenetic analysis showed three general haplotypes around the city - northern, western, and southern. The results in this study show the presence of genetic breaks between many of these populations, possibly due to a combination of factors including anthropogenic fragmentation, natural barriers, and the low active dispersal ability of A. columbianus. However, the extent that each of those factors has on disrupting gene flow and explaining patterns of genetic variation in this species requires further research. The present study acts as a foundation for the development of future research on banana slug phylogenetics and population genetic structure.