Survival and growth of mussels subsequent to hemolymph sampling for DNA

With the increasing use of molecular genetic techniques in ecology and evol ution, it has become apparent that methods of non-destructive DNA sampling must be developed. In this study we collected 50 blue mussels (Mytilus spp. ) in each of three size categories: small (10-20 mm), medium (20-30 mm), an d large (30+ mm). Hemolymph was extracted from 25 mussels in each size cate gory and the remaining 25 mussels served as controls. The hemolymph was ext racted and control mussels were monitored for 384 days, during which Lime n o significant differences in survival or growth were found. We extracted DN A from the hemolymph and successfully polymerase chain reaction-amplified t he TTS and Glu-5' species-specific markers from 81% and 92% of the samples. respectively, and determined that all mussels were Mytilus trossulus (Lama rck). The extraction of hemolymph for DNA analysis allows for molecular inv estigations of populations ur species which are either rare or in limited n umbers, and for life history investigations where survival of the organism is necessary.