Vertical Distribution of Shellfish Larvae: Metagenomic Analysis of Autonomously-collected Larvae

Lead Pi: Jesús Pineda · 2/2015 - 1/2017

Project Personnel: Michael Purcell, Annette Govindarajan

Project number: 2015-R/RCM-43
Strategic Focus Area: Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, Environmental Literacy and Workforce Development
Shellfish biology larval distribution bivalves AUVs barcoding next generation sequencing surf clams ocean quahogs sea scallops

We will study the vertical distribution of sea scallop, ocean quahog, and surf clam larvae in ocean layers; implement newly developed autonomous sampling methods for improved spatial resolution; and develop ìnext generationî genetic sequencing methods to identify the larvae. An AUV REMUS 600 will be equipped with a Suspended Particle Rosette (SUPR) Sampler to collect larvae on three dates in late summer/early fall, along with a CTD to measure and characterize the vertical structure of the water column. Larvae samples will be identified using conventional and next-generation DNA barcoding. Our results will provide information for commercially valuable bivalve species that will be made available directly to scientists developing meta-population and numerical dispersal models.