Range-wide population genomic structure of the Karner blue butterfly, () .

The Karner blue butterfly, () , is an endangered North American climate change-vulnerable species that has undergone substantial historical habitat loss and population decline. To better understand the species' genetic status and support Karner blue conservation, we sampled 116 individuals from 22 localities across the species' geographical range in Wisconsin (WI), Michigan (MI), Indiana (IN), and New York (NY). Using genomic analysis, we found that these samples were divided into three major geographic groups, NY, WI, and MI-IN, with populations in WI and MI-IN each further divided into three subgroups.

Assessing arthropod diversity metrics derived from stream environmental DNA: spatiotemporal variation and paired comparisons with manual sampling.

Background: Benthic invertebrate (BI) surveys have been widely used to characterize freshwater environmental quality but can be challenging to implement at desired spatial scales and frequency. Environmental DNA (eDNA) allows an alternative BI survey approach, one that can potentially be implemented more rapidly and cheaply than traditional methods.

Methods: We evaluated eDNA analogs of BI metrics in the Potomac River watershed of the eastern United States.

Genetic and morphological characterization of the freshwater mussel clubshell species complex ( and ) to inform conservation planning.

The shell morphologies of the freshwater mussel species (federally endangered) and (species of concern) are similar, causing considerable taxonomic confusion between the two species over the last 100 years. While was historically widespread throughout the Ohio River basin and tributaries to the lower Laurentian Great Lakes, was confined to the Tennessee and the upper Cumberland River basins. We used two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes, 13 novel nuclear DNA microsatellite markers, and shell morphometrics to help resolve this taxonomic confusion.

Development of microsatellite markers for three at risk tiger beetles Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis, C. d. media, and C. puritana.

Objective: Tiger beetles inhabiting sandy beaches and cliffs along the east coast of the United States are facing increasing habitat loss due to erosion, urbanization, and sea level rise. The northeastern beach tiger beetle Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis and Puritan tiger beetle Cicindela puritana are both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, while the white beach tiger beetle Cicindela dorsalis media is not listed but has been declining. Extirpation of these beetles, in some cases from entire states, has isolated many populations reducing gene flow and elevating the risk for the loss of genetic variation.

The complete maternal mitochondrial genome sequences of two imperiled North American freshwater mussels: and (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Unionidae).

The freshwater mussels and historically inhabited rivers along the North American Atlantic coast from the Carolinas, U.S.A.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the stalk-forming diatom .

The complete mitogenome of the stalk-forming diatom collected from Mineral County, WV, USA was sequenced on the Ion Torrent PGM and Proton sequencers. The mitogenome is 37,765 bp and encodes 35 protein coding genes, 25 tRNAs, and both large and small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The 11 gene is split into two domains as observed in , and also lacks the large repeat region found in the mitogenome.

Microsatellite marker development from next-generation sequencing in the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) and cross-amplification in the eastern cottontail (S. floridanus).

Objective: The New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) is a species of high conservation priority in the Northeastern United States, and was a candidate for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act until a recent decision determined that conservation actions were sufficient to preclude listing. The aim of this study was to develop a suite of microsatellite loci to guide future research efforts such as the analysis of population genetic structure, genetic variation, dispersal, and genetic mark-recapture population estimation.

Results: Thirty-five microsatellite markers containing tri- and tetranucleotide sequences were developed from shotgun genomic sequencing of tissue from S.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Picorna-Like Virus Associated with Gill Tissue in Clinically Normal Brook Trout, .

Here, we report a draft genome sequence of a picorna-like virus associated with brook trout, , gill tissue. The draft genome comprises 8,681 nucleotides, excluding the poly(A) tract, and contains two open reading frames. It is most similar to picorna-like viruses that infect invertebrates.

Comparative mitogenomic analyses of three North American stygobiont amphipods of the genus (Crustacea: Amphipoda).

The mitochondrial genomes of three North American stygobiont amphipods , and collected from Caroline County, VA, were sequenced using a shotgun sequencing approach on an Illumina NextSeq500 (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA). All three mitogenomes displayed 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs typical of metazoans.

A nuclear DNA perspective on delineating evolutionarily significant lineages in polyploids: the case of the endangered shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum).

The shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, oft considered a phylogenetic relic, is listed as an "endangered species threatened with extinction" in the US and "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. Effective conservation of A. brevirostrum depends on understanding its diversity and evolutionary processes, yet challenges associated with the polyploid nature of its nuclear genome have heretofore limited population genetic analysis to maternally inherited haploid characters.