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Burgess SC, Turner AM, Johnston EC. Niche breadth and divergence in sympatric cryptic coral species ( Pocillopora spp.) across habitats within reefs and among algal symbionts. Evol Appl 2024; 17:e13762. [PMID: 39100752 PMCID: PMC11294925 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
While the presence of morphologically cryptic species is increasingly recognized, we still lack a useful understanding of what causes and maintains co-occurring cryptic species and its consequences for the ecology, evolution, and conservation of communities. We sampled 724 Pocillopora corals from five habitat zones (the fringing reef, back reef, and fore reef at 5, 10, and 20 m) at four sites around the island of Moorea, French Polynesia. Using validated genetic markers, we identified six sympatric species of Pocillopora, most of which cannot be reliably identified based on morphology: P. meandrina (42.9%), P. tuahiniensis (25.1%), P. verrucosa (12.2%), P. acuta (10.4%), P. grandis (7.73%), and P. cf. effusa (2.76%). For 423 colonies (58% of the genetically identified hosts), we also used psbA ncr or ITS2 markers to identify symbiont species (Symbiodiniaceae). The relative abundance of Pocillopora species differed across habitats within the reef. Sister taxa P. verrucosa and P. tuahiniensis had similar niche breadths and hosted the same specialist symbiont species (mostly Cladocopium pacificum) but the former was more common in the back reef and the latter more common deeper on the fore reef. In contrast, sister taxa P. meandrina and P. grandis had the highest niche breadths and overlaps and tended to host the same specialist symbiont species (mostly C. latusorum). Pocillopora acuta had the narrowest niche breadth and hosted the generalist, and more thermally tolerant, Durusdinium gynnii. Overall, there was a positive correlation between reef habitat niche breadth and symbiont niche breadth-Pocillopora species with a broader habitat niche also had a broader symbiont niche. Our results show how fine-scale variation within reefs plays an important role in the generation and coexistence of cryptic species. The results also have important implications for how niche differences affect community resilience, and for the success of coral restoration practices, in ways not previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott C. Burgess
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Alyssa M. Turner
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
| | - Erika C. Johnston
- Department of Biological ScienceFlorida State UniversityTallahasseeFloridaUSA
- Present address:
Hawai‘i Institute of Marine BiologyKāne‘oheHawaiiUSA
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2
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Quek ZBR, Yip ZT, Jain SS, Wong HXV, Tan Z, Joseph AR, Huang D. DNA barcodes are ineffective for species identification of Acropora corals from the aquarium trade. Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e125914. [PMID: 39070712 PMCID: PMC11272991 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e125914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Species identification of stony corals (Scleractinia), which are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, is critical for effective control of harvest quotas, enforcement of trade regulations and species conservation in general. DNA barcoding has the potential to enhance species identification success, depending on the specific taxon concerned and genetic markers used. For Acropora, DNA barcoding, based on the mitochondrial putative control region (mtCR) and the nuclear PaxC intron (PaxC), has been commonly used for species identification and delimitation, but the reliability and robustness of these loci remain contentious. Therefore, we sought to verify the applicability of this approach. In this study, we obtained 127 Acropora colonies from the aquarium trade to test the effectiveness of barcoding mtCR and PaxC for species identification. We were able to recover sequences for both loci in over half of the samples (n = 68), while gene amplification and sequencing of mtCR (n = 125) outperformed PaxC (n = 70). Amongst the 68 samples with both loci recovered, just a single sample could be unambiguously identified to species. Preliminary identities, based on only one gene, were assigned for 40 and 65 samples with mtCR and PaxC, respectively. Further analyses of 110 complete mitochondrial genomes obtained from GenBank showed that, despite the full length of the sequences, only eight species were delimited, of which only three species were correspondingly monophyletic. Therefore, we conclude that the commonly used DNA barcoding markers for Acropora are ineffective for accurate species assignments due to limited variability in both markers and even across the entire mitochondrial genome. Therefore, we propose that barcoding markers should generally not be the only means for identifying corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z. B. Randolph Quek
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeDepartment of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Yale-NUS College, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeYale-NUS College, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Zhi Ting Yip
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeDepartment of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Sudhanshi S. Jain
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeDepartment of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Hui Xian Vanessa Wong
- NUS High School of Math and Science, Singapore, SingaporeNUS High School of Math and ScienceSingaporeSingapore
| | - Zayin Tan
- NUS High School of Math and Science, Singapore, SingaporeNUS High School of Math and ScienceSingaporeSingapore
| | - Adrielle Ruth Joseph
- NUS High School of Math and Science, Singapore, SingaporeNUS High School of Math and ScienceSingaporeSingapore
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeDepartment of Biological Sciences, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore, SingaporeLee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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Furukawa M, Kitanobo S, Ohki S, Teramoto MM, Hanahara N, Morita M. Integrative taxonomic analyses reveal that rapid genetic divergence drives Acropora speciation. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 195:108063. [PMID: 38493988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Reef-building corals provide the structural basis for one of Earth's most spectacular and diverse but increasingly threatened ecosystems. The reef-building coral genus Acropora may have undergone substantial speciation during the Pleistocene climate and sea-level changes. Here, we aimed to evaluate the speciation history of four morphologically similar tabular Acropora species (Acropora aff. hyacinthus, A. cf. bifurcata, A. cf. cytherea, and A. cf. subulata) using an integrative approach with morphology, genetic, and reproduction methodology. Extensive morphological analyses showed that these four species are distinct and exhibited high gamete incompatibility, preventing hybridization. Furthermore, population structure and principal component analyses with SNPs (>60,000) indicated that these species were genetically distinct, and the ABBA-BABA test did not support introgression among these species. Many of their coding and noncoding RNA sequences showed high genetic variance at loci with high Fst values along the genome. Comparison of these orthologs with those of other Acropora species suggested that many of these genes are under positive selection, which could be associated with spawning time, gamete, and morphological divergence. Our findings show that the speciation of tabular Acropora occurred without hybridization, and the divergence accompanying the rapid evolution of genes in species-rich Acropora could be associated with speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Furukawa
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan
| | - Seiya Kitanobo
- Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka 415-0025, Japan
| | - Shun Ohki
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Mariko M Teramoto
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan
| | - Nozomi Hanahara
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan; Okinawa Churashima Foundation Research Center, 888 Ishikawa, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0206, Japan
| | - Masaya Morita
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan.
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Addamo AM, Modrell MS, Taviani M, Machordom A. Unravelling the relationships among Madrepora Linnaeus, 1758, Oculina Lamark, 1816 and Cladocora Ehrenberg, 1834 (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia). INVERTEBR SYST 2024; 38:IS23027. [PMID: 38744497 DOI: 10.1071/is23027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Despite the widespread use of integrative taxonomic approaches, many scleractinian coral genera and species remain grouped in polyphyletic families, classified as incertae sedis or simply understudied. Oculinidae Gray, 1847 represents a family for which many taxonomic questions remain unresolved, particularly those related to some of the current genera, such as Oculina Lamark, 1816 or recently removed genera, including Cladocora Ehrenberg, 1834 and Madrepora Linnaeus, 1758. Cladocora is currently assigned to the family Cladocoridae Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 and a new family, Bathyporidae Kitahara, Capel, Zilberberg & Cairns, 2024, was recently raised to accommodate Madrepora . However, the name Bathyporidae is not valid because this was not formed on the basis of a type genus name. To resolve taxonomic questions related to these three genera, the evolutionary relationships are explored through phylogenetic analyses of 18 molecular markers. The results of these analyses support a close relationship between the species Oculina patagonica and Cladocora caespitosa , indicating that these may belong to the same family (and possibly genus), and highlighting the need for detailed revisions of Oculina and Cladocora . By contrast, a distant relationship is found between these two species and Madrepora oculata , with the overall evidence supporting the placement of Madrepora in the resurrected family Madreporidae Ehrenberg, 1834. This study advances our knowledge of coral systematics and highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the genera Oculina , Cladocora and Madrepora .
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Addamo
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain; and European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), I-21027 Ispra, Italy; and Climate Change Research Centre (CCRC), University of Insubria, I-21100 Varese, Italy; and Present address: Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, NO-8049 Bodø, Norway
| | - Melinda S Modrell
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marco Taviani
- Istituto di Scienze Marine, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ISMAR-CNR), I-40129 Bologna, Italy; and Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Annie Machordom
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), E-28006 Madrid, Spain
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Grupstra CGB, Gómez-Corrales M, Fifer JE, Aichelman HE, Meyer-Kaiser KS, Prada C, Davies SW. Integrating cryptic diversity into coral evolution, symbiosis and conservation. Nat Ecol Evol 2024; 8:622-636. [PMID: 38351091 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-023-02319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how diversity evolves and is maintained is critical to predicting the future trajectories of ecosystems under climate change; however, our understanding of these processes is limited in marine systems. Corals, which engineer reef ecosystems, are critically threatened by climate change, and global efforts are underway to conserve and restore populations as attempts to mitigate ocean warming continue. Recently, sequencing efforts have uncovered widespread undescribed coral diversity, including 'cryptic lineages'-genetically distinct but morphologically similar coral taxa. Such cryptic lineages have been identified in at least 24 coral genera spanning the anthozoan phylogeny and across ocean basins. These cryptic lineages co-occur in many reef systems, but their distributions often differ among habitats. Research suggests that cryptic lineages are ecologically specialized and several examples demonstrate differences in thermal tolerance, highlighting the critical implications of this diversity for predicting coral responses to future warming. Here, we draw attention to recent discoveries, discuss how cryptic diversity affects the study of coral adaptation and acclimation to future environments, explore how it shapes symbiotic partnerships, and highlight challenges and opportunities for conservation and restoration efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James E Fifer
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Carlos Prada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Sarah W Davies
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
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6
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Randolph Quek ZB, Jain SS, Richards ZT, Arrigoni R, Benzoni F, Hoeksema BW, Carvajal JI, Wilson NG, Baird AH, Kitahara MV, Seiblitz IGL, Vaga CF, Huang D. A hybrid-capture approach to reconstruct the phylogeny of Scleractinia (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023:107867. [PMID: 37348770 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
A well-supported evolutionary tree representing most major lineages of scleractinian corals is in sight with the development and application of phylogenomic approaches. Specifically, hybrid-capture techniques are shedding light on the evolution and systematics of corals. Here, we reconstructed a broad phylogeny of Scleractinia to test previous phylogenetic hypotheses inferred from a few molecular markers, in particular, the relationships among major scleractinian families and genera, and to identify clades that require further research. We analysed 449 nuclear loci from 422 corals, comprising 266 species spanning 26 families, combining data across whole genomes, transcriptomes, hybrid capture and low-coverage sequencing to reconstruct the largest phylogenomic tree of scleractinians to date. Due to the large number of loci and data completeness (<38% missing data), node supports were high across shallow and deep nodes with incongruences observed in only a few shallow nodes. The "Robust" and "Complex" clades were recovered unequivocally, and our analyses confirmed that Micrabaciidae Vaughan, 1905 is sister to the "Robust" clade, transforming our understanding of the "Basal" clade. Several families remain polyphyletic in our phylogeny, including Deltocyathiidae Kitahara, Cairns, Stolarski & Miller, 2012, Caryophylliidae Dana, 1846, and Coscinaraeidae Benzoni, Arrigoni, Stefani & Stolarski, 2012, and we hereby formally proposed the family name Pachyseridae Benzoni & Hoeksema to accommodate Pachyseris Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849, which is phylogenetically distinct from Agariciidae Gray, 1847. Results also revealed species misidentifications and inconsistencies within morphologically complex clades, such as Acropora Oken, 1815 and Platygyra Ehrenberg, 1834, underscoring the need for reference skeletal material and topotypes, as well as the importance of detailed taxonomic work. The approach and findings here provide much promise for further stabilising the topology of the scleractinian tree of life and advancing our understanding of coral evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z B Randolph Quek
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore; Yale-NUS College, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138527, Singapore.
| | - Sudhanshi S Jain
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
| | - Zoe T Richards
- Coral Conservation and Research Group, Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia; Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Western Australia 6106, Australia
| | - Roberto Arrigoni
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Genoa Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn-National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Francesca Benzoni
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bert W Hoeksema
- Taxonomy, Systematics and Geodiversity Group, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands; Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jose I Carvajal
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Western Australia 6106, Australia
| | - Nerida G Wilson
- Collections and Research, Western Australian Museum, Welshpool, Western Australia 6106, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Andrew H Baird
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Marcelo V Kitahara
- Centre for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, 11612-109 São Sebastião, Brazil; Department of Invertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, United States of America
| | - Isabela G L Seiblitz
- Centre for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, 11612-109 São Sebastião, Brazil; Graduate Program in Zoology, Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia F Vaga
- Centre for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, 11612-109 São Sebastião, Brazil; Graduate Program in Zoology, Department of Zoology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danwei Huang
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore; Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117377, Singapore; Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119227, Singapore; Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore.
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7
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Oury N, Noël C, Mona S, Aurelle D, Magalon H. From genomics to integrative species delimitation? The case study of the Indo-Pacific Pocillopora corals. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023; 184:107803. [PMID: 37120114 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
With the advent of genomics, sequencing thousands of loci from hundreds of individuals now appears feasible at reasonable costs, allowing complex phylogenies to be resolved. This is particularly relevant for cnidarians, for which insufficient data is available due to the small number of currently available markers and obscures species boundaries. Difficulties in inferring gene trees and morphological incongruences further blur the study and conservation of these organisms. Yet, can genomics alone be used to delimit species? Here, focusing on the coral genus Pocillopora, whose colonies play key roles in Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems but have challenged taxonomists for decades, we explored and discussed the usefulness of multiple criteria (genetics, morphology, biogeography and symbiosis ecology) to delimit species of this genus. Phylogenetic inferences, clustering approaches and species delimitation methods based on genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were first used to resolve Pocillopora phylogeny and propose genomic species hypotheses from 356 colonies sampled across the Indo-Pacific (western Indian Ocean, tropical southwestern Pacific and south-east Polynesia). These species hypotheses were then compared to other lines of evidence based on genetic, morphology, biogeography and symbiont associations. Out of 21 species hypotheses delimited by genomics, 13 were strongly supported by all approaches, while six could represent either undescribed species or nominal species that have been synonymised incorrectly. Altogether, our results support (1) the obsolescence of macromorphology (i.e., overall colony and branches shape) but the relevance of micromorphology (i.e., corallite structures) to refine Pocillopora species boundaries, (2) the relevance of the mtORF (coupled with other markers in some cases) as a diagnostic marker of most species, (3) the requirement of molecular identification when species identity of colonies is absolutely necessary to interpret results, as morphology can blur species identification in the field, and (4) the need for a taxonomic revision of the genus Pocillopora. These results give new insights into the usefulness of multiple criteria for resolving Pocillopora, and more widely, scleractinian species boundaries, and will ultimately contribute to the taxonomic revision of this genus and the conservation of its species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Oury
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, CNRS), Université de La Réunion, St Denis, La Réunion, France; Laboratoire Cogitamus, Paris, France.
| | - Cyril Noël
- IFREMER - IRSI - Service de Bioinformatique (SeBiMER), Plouzané, France
| | - Stefano Mona
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, EPHE-PSL, Université PSL, CNRS, SU, UA, Paris, France; EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France; Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Perpignan, France
| | - Didier Aurelle
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, EPHE-PSL, Université PSL, CNRS, SU, UA, Paris, France; Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, France
| | - Hélène Magalon
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie, CNRS), Université de La Réunion, St Denis, La Réunion, France; Laboratoire Cogitamus, Paris, France; Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, Perpignan, France
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8
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Palumbi SR, Walker NS, Hanson E, Armstrong K, Lippert M, Cornwell B, Nestor V, Golbuu Y. Small-scale genetic structure of coral populations in Palau based on whole mitochondrial genomes: Implications for future coral resilience. Evol Appl 2023; 16:518-529. [PMID: 36793699 PMCID: PMC9923468 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of local populations to adapt to future climate conditions is facilitated by a balance between short range dispersal allowing local buildup of adaptively beneficial alleles, and longer dispersal moving these alleles throughout the species range. Reef building corals have relatively low dispersal larvae, but most population genetic studies show differentiation only over 100s of km. Here, we report full mitochondrial genome sequences from 284 tabletop corals (Acropora hyacinthus) from 39 patch reefs in Palau, and show two signals of genetic structure across reef scales from 1 to 55 km. First, divergent mitochondrial DNA haplotypes exist in different proportions from reef to reef, causing PhiST values of 0.02 (p = 0.02). Second, closely related sequences of mitochondrial Haplogroups are more likely to be co-located on the same reefs than expected by chance alone. We also compared these sequences to prior data on 155 colonies from American Samoa. In these comparisons, many Haplogroups in Palau were disproportionately represented or absent in American Samoa, and inter-regional PhiST = 0.259. However, we saw three instances of identical mitochondrial genomes between locations. Together, these data sets suggest two features of coral dispersal revealed by occurrence patterns in highly similar mitochondrial genomes. First, the Palau-American Samoa data suggest that long distance dispersal in corals is rare, as expected, but that it is common enough to deliver identical mitochondrial genomes across the Pacific. Second, higher than expected co-occurrence of Haplogroups on the same Palau reefs suggests greater retention of coral larvae on local reefs than predicted by many current oceanographic models of larval movement. Increased attention to local scales of coral genetic structure, dispersal, and selection may help increase the accuracy of models of future adaptation of corals and of assisted migration as a reef resilience intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Palumbi
- Department of Biology and Oceans Department Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Pacific Grove California USA
| | - Nia S Walker
- Department of Biology and Oceans Department Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Pacific Grove California USA.,Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii Honolulu Hawaii USA
| | - Erik Hanson
- Department of Biology and Oceans Department Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Pacific Grove California USA
| | - Katrina Armstrong
- Department of Biology and Oceans Department Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Pacific Grove California USA
| | - Marilla Lippert
- Department of Biology and Oceans Department Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Pacific Grove California USA
| | - Brendan Cornwell
- Department of Biology and Oceans Department Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University Pacific Grove California USA
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Glon H, Häussermann V, Brewin PE, Brickle P, Kong S, Smith ML, Daly M. There and Back Again: The Unexpected Journeys of Metridium de Blainville, 1824 between the Old Oceans and throughout the Modern World. THE BIOLOGICAL BULLETIN 2023; 244:9-24. [PMID: 37167618 DOI: 10.1086/723800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
AbstractMembers of the sea anemone genus Metridium are abundant in temperate rocky habitats and fouling communities. Their biogeographic history is expected to reflect changes in currents and habitats that have influenced benthic communities, such as the climate-influenced changes that occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum. More recently, however, anthropogenic influences such as shipping transportation and the creation of artificial habitat have altered and affected the composition of modern-day marine communities. Here we use sequence-capture data to examine the genetic structure of Metridium across its shallow-water distribution to (1) evaluate species boundaries within Metridium, (2) elucidate the dispersal history of Metridium between and among oceans, and (3) assess the influence of anthropogenic movement on modern-day populations. We find strong evidence for two species within Metridium: M. farcimen and M. senile. Dispersal from the Pacific to the Atlantic included a subsequent isolation of a small population in or above the Bering Sea, which has presumably moved southward. Within the native range of M. senile, admixture is prevalent even between oceans as a result of anthropogenic activities. The nonnative populations in Chile and the Falkland Islands came from at least two distinct introduction events originating from both coasts of the United States in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. Hybridization between M. senile and M. farcimen is documented as occurring in anthropogenically influenced habitats. The heavy influence from anthropogenic activities will continue to impact our understanding of marine organisms, particularly within the native range and for those that are easily transported across long distances.
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10
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Daniels SR, Busschau T, Gullacksen G, Marais H, Gouws G, Barnes A. Cryptic and widespread: a recipe for taxonomic misidentification in a freshwater crab species (Decapoda: Potamonautidae: Potamonautes sidneyi) as evident from species delimitation methods. Zool J Linn Soc 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
AbstractWe examined the systematics of a ubiquitously distributed southern African freshwater crab, Potamonautes sidneyi s.l. species complex. Specimens were subjected to DNA sequence analyses of two mitochondrial loci (16S rRNA + COI). We applied three species delimitations methods (ASAP, bGMYC and bPTP) to test their utility in delineating species boundaries in Potamonautes and three additional Afrotropical genera (Liberonautes, Nesonautes and Seychellum). The combined mtDNA dataset retrieved five clades. Clade 1 comprised of P. barbarai, clade 2 comprised of specimens from the interior of the Great Karoo Basin, sister to P. sidneyi s.s. in clade 3. Clade 4 was confined to Eswatini and the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, and sister to clade 5 that comprised P. danielsi. The three species delimitation methods either over- or underestimated the number of species. Phylogenetically, specimens from the Great Karoo Basin (clade 2) were equidistant to P. sidneyi s.s. and P. perlatus, while the Eswatini and Mpumalanga specimens (clade 4) were sister to P. danielsi. Clades 2 and 4 are herein described as P. karooensis sp. nov. and P. valles sp. nov., respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savel R Daniels
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch , Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 , South Africa
| | - Theo Busschau
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch , Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 , South Africa
| | | | - Hannes Marais
- Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Aquatic Unit , Lydenburg, 1120 , South Africa
| | - Gavin Gouws
- National Research Foundation - South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity , Private Bag 1015, Makhanda, 6140 , South Africa
| | - Aaron Barnes
- Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch , Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 , South Africa
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Quigley KM. A fast, precise, in‐vivo method for micron‐level
3D
models of corals using dental scanners. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate M. Quigley
- Australian Institute of Marine Science Townsville Qld Australia
- Minderoo Foundation Perth WA Australia
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Kitanobo S, Iwao K, Fukami H, Isomura N, Morita M. First evidence for backcrossing of F1 hybrids in Acropora corals under sperm competition. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5356. [PMID: 35354852 PMCID: PMC8967929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08989-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acropora is a species-rich genus of reef-building corals with highly diverse morphologies. Hybridization among intercrossing species potentially influences species diversity within Acropora. However, the mechanisms that allow hybridization/backcrossing remain unknown. Although we tested a limited number of species, we hypothesized that Acropora gametes in the Indo-Pacific may preferentially fertilize conspecific gametes despite their compatibility with heterospecific gametes, leading to infrequent hybridization between potentially intercrossing species. In this study, F1 hybrids of Acropora florida and A. intermedia showed specific fertilization trends. For example, sperm had the ability to backcross with the parental species even in the presence of sperm from the parental species. Also, eggs of the hybrids produced from A. florida eggs and A. intermedia sperm (“FLOint”) exhibited self-fertilization. Since a low ratio of hybridization between A. florida and A. intermedia is predicted, the population size of hybrids should be small. Therefore, self-fertilization would facilitate reproduction of the hybrid in nature, while remaining sperm could outcompete parental species sperm to backcross with eggs. Although we succeeded in breeding two colonies of hybrids, it is reasonable to speculate that hybrids show a high tendency to choose the most efficient sexual reproduction tactics.
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