Research demonstrates genetic diversity and effective population sizes in freshwater mussels, suggesting conservation activities need genetic oversight.
Key Points
To assess genetic diversity and effective population sizes of Plethobasus species and confirm a rare sample.
Quantified genetic diversity of P. cooperianus and P. cyphyus
Compared distinct populations of P. cyphyus
Genetically confirmed a putative sample of P. cicatricosus
P. cooperianus shows a single panmictic population across its range
Identified two distinct populations of P. cyphyus
Effective population sizes higher than in other freshwater mussels