Population genetics of native shellfish aquaculture species and potential genetic risks of cultivation

Native shellfish aquaculture has many benefits, but interbreeding of hatchery and wild populations may pose genetic risks to wild populations. The type and magnitude of these risks depends in part on the genetic population structure of native shellfish species. Early genetic studies on marine shellfish provided little evidence for such structure. However, recent population genetic studies provide higher resolution, make use of both neutral and non-neutral molecular markers, and suggest some marine shellfish can exhibit population structure and even local adaptation. Here, we present preliminary results on genetic differentiation among populations of Crassadoma gigantea (the purple-hinged rock scallop) and Parastichopus californicus (the giant California sea cucumber), two native species that are currently being developed for aquaculture production in Puget Sound. Data for both species demonstrate high levels of genetic diversity and indications for population structuring by geography. Additionally, data for P. californicus suggest a potential cryptic species. Results will be used in a genetic risk model to quantify risk under multiple management scenarios, which will provide decision support to resource managers and other stakeholders. Our study shows the importance of population structure for genetic risk assessment and the power of combining empirical data, computer modeling and end-user input

Genetic risk assessment model for native shellfish aquaculture

The shellfish aquaculture industry is growing, and shellfish growers have begun to cultivate native shellfish to prevent introduction of non-native species. However, cultivation of native species poses genetic risks to wild populations if farmed and wild animals interbreed. Available simulation models for assessing genetic risks of aquaculture are not well suited for shellfish life history or the complexities associated with spatial management and are often limited to one or two of at least three types of genetic risks, preventing assessment of trade-offs among risks and emergent interactions among genetic processes. We developed an open-source, individual-based simulation model for conducting genetic risk assessments of native shellfish aquaculture and demonstrated its utility in measuring a variety of genetic impacts, trade-offs among impacts, and emergent effects in Olympia Oyster (Ostrea lurida) aquaculture. The model quantifies changes in genetic diversity within and among populations, and fitness of wild populations due to farm escapees. We compared 12 scenarios, encompassing elements of commercial and restoration aquaculture under different combinations of escape rate and strength of selection. Results were generally consistent with population genetic theory, including greatest effects when both selection and escape were high and a rapid irreversible erosion of genetic differentiation among wild populations when foreign broodstock was used. We also found surprising findings, for example, a rapid decline in neutral genetic diversity caused by selection and a reduction of allelic diversity that was fastest in the farm and slowest in the local wild population under the same conditions. We suggest future directions for model uses and development and conclude by describing the management implications of our results for the cultivation of Olympia Oyster and other shellfish species

Transboundary Indigenous Oil Spill Risk and Eco-cultural Resources

The Strait of Juan de Fuca experiences high oil spill risk due to dense vessel traffic in the region. An oil spill in the region would cross the Canada-U.S. border, affecting Tribes, First Nations, states, and provinces. Due to the relative remoteness of these areas, Tribes and First Nations may be the first on the scene in the event of an incident. However, regulatory differences associated with the Canada-U.S. border and federal planning and response structures that were not built with indigenous governments in mind can impact effective prevention, preparedness, and response to oil spills, with particular consequences for Indigenous communities and culturally significant resources. To build capacity across borders and support collaboration among Tribes and First Nations in marine resource stewardship and oil pollution prevention, the Makah Tribal Council and Office of Marine Affairs, with participation from Nuu-Chah-Nuulth Tribes, hosted a virtual workshop on Indigenous oil spill risk and eco-cultural resources. The objectives of the workshop were to create connections among Tribes and First Nations, share information and experience, and identify opportunities to leverage past successes and build new collaborations. Key messages emerged from two days of discussions, including 1) cultural protocols can be used to build foundational relationships for collaboration, 2) watershed moments can arrive through meaningful collaboration, not only after crises, and 3) cross-pollination and partnership have advanced the ability of some Tribes and First Nations to prepare for and respond to spills. Additionally, an artist captured key elements of the discussions in graphic recordings, which added a rich layer of visual storytelling that helped to address some of the shortfalls of virtual meetings. In our presentation, we will share key takeaways from the workshop and identify potential next steps in building transboundary relationships for oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response

Communal mastery and associations with depressive and PTSD symptomatology among urban trauma-exposed women.

Objective: Racial and ethnic minority women from low-resource urban communities experience disproportionately high rates of trauma exposure. Higher rates of lifetime trauma exposure are strongly associated with subsequent psychological sequela, specifically depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Communal mastery is the ability to cope with challenges and achieve goals by being closely interconnected with friends, family, and significant others. Yet, it is unknown if communal mastery is protective specifically against PTSD and depressive symptoms. Method: Participants (N = 131) were Black and Latina women (88.5% Black, mean monthly income: < $750) recruited from an urban outpatient obstetric-gynecological clinic at an academic medical center. Participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed trauma history, PTSD and depressive symptoms, types of individualistic coping, social support, and communal mastery. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression models demonstrated that communal mastery is uniquely associated with fewer PTSD symptoms (β = −.23, p = .003). More severe trauma history, more use of passive coping skills, and poorer social support were also significantly associated with PTSD symptoms, explaining over half of the variance in PTSD symptoms. Although significantly correlated, communal mastery was not uniquely associated with fewer depressive symptoms (β = −.13, p = .201). Conclusions: These findings suggest that connectedness as assessed through communal mastery serves as an important shield against the effects of traumatic stress for Black and Latina women. Future research would benefit by exploring interventions that aim to increase communal mastery in order to help highly trauma-exposed racial and ethnic minority women in low-resource environments

A Multi-Lab Test of the Facial Feedback Hypothesis by the Many Smiles Collaboration

Following theories of emotional embodiment, the facial feedback hypothesis suggests that individuals’ subjective experiences of emotion are influenced by their facial expressions. However, evidence for this hypothesis has been mixed. We thus formed a global adversarial collaboration and carried out a preregistered, multicentre study designed to specify and test the conditions that should most reliably produce facial feedback effects. Data from n = 3,878 participants spanning 19 countries indicated that a facial mimicry and voluntary facial action task could both amplify and initiate feelings of happiness. However, evidence of facial feedback effects was less conclusive when facial feedback was manipulated unobtrusively via a pen-in-mouth task

A multi-lab test of the facial feedback hypothesis by the Many Smiles Collaboration

Following theories of emotional embodiment, the facial feedback hypothesis suggests that individuals' subjective experiences of emotion are influenced by their facial expressions. However, evidence for this hypothesis has been mixed. We thus formed a global adversarial collaboration and carried out a preregistered, multicentre study designed to specify and test the conditions that should most reliably produce facial feedback effects. Data from n = 3,878 participants spanning 19 countries indicated that a facial mimicry and voluntary facial action task could both amplify and initiate feelings of happiness. However, evidence of facial feedback effects was less conclusive when facial feedback was manipulated unobtrusively via a pen-in-mouth task

A connectome and analysis of the adult Drosophila central brain.

The neural circuits responsible for animal behavior remain largely unknown. We summarize new methods and present the circuitry of a large fraction of the brain of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Improved methods include new procedures to prepare, image, align, segment, find synapses in, and proofread such large data sets. We define cell types, refine computational compartments, and provide an exhaustive atlas of cell examples and types, many of them novel. We provide detailed circuits consisting of neurons and their chemical synapses for most of the central brain. We make the data public and simplify access, reducing the effort needed to answer circuit questions, and provide procedures linking the neurons defined by our analysis with genetic reagents. Biologically, we examine distributions of connection strengths, neural motifs on different scales, electrical consequences of compartmentalization, and evidence that maximizing packing density is an important criterion in the evolution of the fly's brain