Chase Smith's research focuses on resolving the evolution of freshwater mussels, an aquatic group of bivalves with approximately 300 species in the United States. Though mainly sessile as adults, these mollusks have one of the most peculiar life histories within the animal kingdom which involves a parasitic larval stage (glochidia) that must attach to fishhosts to complete metamorphosis. This life cycle creates a remarkable evolutionary system, as select pressures for successful parasitism has led to the development of highly specialized life history characters to attract specific host fish. Concomitant to the compelling life history, Bivalves, including freshwater mussels, are the only known exception among Bilaterian animals to strictly maternal inheritance of mitochondria and have a unique mode of mitochondrial inheritance called doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI). This phenomenon involves the transmission of two mitochondrial genomes, one of which is passed by females to all offspring, and a second that is passed by males only to their sons. The origin of DUI has been hypothesized to be a critical component of sex determination in bivalves, however, it is still uncertain how sex is determined and the role of DUI. 

Host: Mark Kirkpatrick