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Viladrich N, Linares C, Padilla‐Gamiño JL. Lethal and sublethal effects of thermal stress on octocorals early life-history stages. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:7049-7062. [PMID: 36106689 PMCID: PMC9828436 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The frequency and severity of marine heatwaves causing mass mortality events in tropical and temperate coral species increases every year, with serious consequences on the stability and resilience of coral populations. Although recovery and persistence of coral populations after stress events is closely related to adult fitness, as well as larval survival and settlement, much remains unknown about the effects of thermal stress on early life-history stages of temperate coral species. In the present study, the reproductive phenology and the effect of increased water temperature (+4°C and +6°C above ambient, 20°C) on larval survival and settlement was evaluated for two of the most representative Mediterranean octocoral species (Eunicella singularis and Corallium rubrum). Our study shows that reproductive behavior is more variable than previously reported and breeding period occurs over a longer period in both species. Thermal stress did not affect the survival of symbiotic E. singularis larvae but drastically reduced the survival of the non-symbiotic C. rubrum larvae. Results on larval biomass and caloric consumption suggest that higher mortality rates of C. rubrum exposed to increased temperature were not related to depletion of endogenous energy in larvae. The results also show that settlement rates of E. singularis did not change in response to elevated temperature after 20 days of exposure, but larvae may settle fast and close to their native population at 26°C (+6°C). Although previous experimental studies found that adult colonies of both octocoral species are mostly resistant to thermal stress, our results on early life-history stages suggest that the persistence and inter-connectivity of local populations may be severely compromised under continued trends in ocean warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Núria Viladrich
- School of Aquatic and Fishery SciencesUniversity of Washington (UW)SeattleWashingtonUSA
- Departament de Biologia EvolutivaEcologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio)Universitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Cristina Linares
- Departament de Biologia EvolutivaEcologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio)Universitat de Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
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Villamor A, Signorini LF, Costantini F, Terzin M, Abbiati M. Evidence of genetic isolation between two Mediterranean morphotypes of Parazoanthus axinellae. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13938. [PMID: 32811877 PMCID: PMC7434761 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70770-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Coralligenous assemblages are among the most species-rich and vulnerable habitats of the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, data on connectivity patterns on species inhabiting these habitats, crucial to define management and protection priorities, are largely lacking. Moreover, unreliable species-level taxonomy can confound ecological studies and mislead management strategies. In the northwestern Mediterranean two Parazoanthus axinellae morphotypes differing in size, color and preferred substrate are found in sympatry. In this study, we used COI and ITS sequence polymorphism to assess (1) the genetic divergence between the two morphotypes, (2) their connectivity patterns and (3) their phylogenetic position within the Parazoanthidae. Specimens of P. axinellae were sampled in 11 locations along the northwestern Mediterranean; in 6 locations, samples of the two morphotypes were collected in sympatry. Small genetic diversity and structure were found within morphotypes, while marked and consistent differentiation was detected between them. Moreover, the less widespread morphotype appeared to be closer to Pacific species as P. juanfernandezii and P. elongatus. Our findings confirmed the limited knowledge on Parazoanthus species complex, and how this gap can have important implication for the conservation strategies of this widespread and valuable genus in the Mediterranean Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Villamor
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA) & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy.,International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, HC Andersen 22-24, 1553, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lorenzo F Signorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA) & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy.,Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Federica Costantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA) & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy. .,CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marko Terzin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA) & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Marco Abbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA) & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy.,Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine, ISMAR, Bologna, Italy.,Dipartimento di Beni Culturali, Università di Bologna, Via degli Ariani, 1, 48121, Ravenna, RA, Italy
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Soares MDO, Araújo JTD, Ferreira SMC, Santos BA, Boavida JRH, Costantini F, Rossi S. Why do mesophotic coral ecosystems have to be protected? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 726:138456. [PMID: 32481209 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs; ~30-150 m depth) are among the most biologically diverse and least protected ecosystems in the world's oceans. However, discussions regarding the conservation of these unique ecosystems are scarce. To address this issue, we identified the features of MCEs that demonstrate they should be considered as a global conservation priority. Some MCEs are characterized by their well-preserved and unique seascapes; their narrow environmental tolerance and high vulnerability to anthropogenic effects; and their slow recovery and reduced reproductive performance. The unique biodiversity of MCEs includes depth-adapted specialist species and new species, most of which are threatened or important fishery resources. MCEs also provide refuge against human stressors, valuable ecosystem services, and ecological connectivity. MCEs generally meet the criteria to be classified as Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Areas under the Convention on Biological Diversity. However, we highlight that many MCEs worldwide are threatened and not yet adequately protected by fishery regulations, marine protected areas, or considered in marine spatial planning. Establishing MCEs as a global conservation priority requires the designation of national, international, transnational, public, and private policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo de Oliveira Soares
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar-LABOMAR, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. da Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Brazil; Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Carrer de les Columnes, Edifici Z, Cerdanyolla del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DISTEBA), Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Jorge Thé de Araújo
- Instituto de Ciências do Mar-LABOMAR, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Av. da Abolição, 3207, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | - Bráulio Almeida Santos
- Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Joana Ruela Heimbürger Boavida
- Aix Marseille Université, Univ Toulon, CNRS, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, 13288, Marseille, France; Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Faro, Portugal
| | - Federica Costantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA) and Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Rossi
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Carrer de les Columnes, Edifici Z, Cerdanyolla del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche e Ambientali (DISTEBA), Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
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Cerrano C, Bastari A, Calcinai B, Di Camillo C, Pica D, Puce S, Valisano L, Torsani F. Temperate mesophotic ecosystems: gaps and perspectives of an emerging conservation challenge for the Mediterranean Sea. EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2019.1677790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Cerrano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A. Bastari
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - B. Calcinai
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - C. Di Camillo
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - D. Pica
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - S. Puce
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - L. Valisano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - F. Torsani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Pilczynska J, Cocito S, Boavida J, Serrão EA, Assis J, Fragkopoulou E, Queiroga H. Genetic diversity increases with depth in red gorgonian populations of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6794. [PMID: 31179167 PMCID: PMC6536111 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In the ocean, the variability of environmental conditions found along depth gradients exposes populations to contrasting levels of perturbation, which can be reflected in the overall patterns of species genetic diversity. At shallow sites, resource availability may structure large, persistent and well-connected populations with higher levels of diversity. In contrast, the more extreme conditions, such as thermal stress during heat waves, can lead to population bottlenecks and genetic erosion, inverting the natural expectation. Here we examine how genetic diversity varies along depth for a long-lived, important ecosystem-structuring species, the red gorgonian, Paramuricea clavata. Methods We used five polymorphic microsatellite markers to infer differences in genetic diversity and differentiation, and to detect bottleneck signs between shallow and deeper populations across the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. We further explored the potential relationship between depth and environmental gradients (temperature, ocean currents, productivity and slope) on the observed patterns of diversity by means of generalized linear mixed models. Results An overall pattern of higher genetic diversity was found in the deeper sites of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This pattern was largely explained by bottom temperatures, with a linear pattern of decreasing genetic diversity with increasing thermal stress. Genetic differentiation patterns showed higher gene flow within sites (i.e., shallow vs. deeper populations) than between sites. Recent genetic bottlenecks were found in two populations of shallow depths. Discussion Our results highlight the role of deep refugial populations safeguarding higher and unique genetic diversity for marine structuring species. Theoretical regression modelling demonstrated how thermal stress alone may reduce population sizes and diversity levels of shallow water populations. In fact, the examination of time series on a daily basis showed the upper water masses repeatedly reaching lethal temperatures for P. clavata. Differentiation patterns showed that the deep richer populations are isolated. Gene flow was also inferred across different depths; however, not in sufficient levels to offset the detrimental effects of surface environmental conditions on genetic diversity. The identification of deep isolated areas with high conservation value for the red gorgonian represents an important step in the face of ongoing and future climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Pilczynska
- Departamento de Biologia and CESAM-Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Cocito
- Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development-ENEA, Marine Environment Research Centre, La Spezia, Italy
| | - Joana Boavida
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal.,Aix Marseille Université, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO) UM 110, Marseille, France
| | - Ester A Serrão
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Jorge Assis
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Eliza Fragkopoulou
- CCMAR-Centro de Ciências do Mar, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Henrique Queiroga
- Departamento de Biologia and CESAM-Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Universidade de Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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de Oliveira UDR, Gomes PB, Silva Cordeiro RT, de Lima GV, Pérez CD. Modeling impacts of climate change on the potential habitat of an endangered Brazilian endemic coral: Discussion about deep sea refugia. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211171. [PMID: 31112555 PMCID: PMC6529159 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate and environmental conditions are determinant for coral distribution and their very existence. When changes in such conditions occur, their effects on distribution can be predicted through species distribution models, anticipating suitable habitats for the subsistence of species. Mussismilia harttii is one of the most endangered Brazilian endemic reef-building corals, and in increasing risk of extinction. Herein, species distribution models were used to determine the present and future potential habitats for M. harttii. Estimations were made through the maximum entropy approach, predicting suitable habitat losses and gains by the end of the 21st century. For this purpose, species records published in the last 20 years and current and future environmental variables were correlated. The best models were chosen according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and evaluated through the partial ROC (AUCratio), a new approach which uses independent occurrence data. Both approaches showed that the models performed satisfactorily in predicting potential habitat areas for the species. Future projections were made using the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios for 2100, with different levels of greenhouse gas emission. Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) were used to model the Future Potential Habitat (FPH) of M. harttii in two different scenarios: stabilization of emissions (RCP 4.5) and increase of emissions (RCP 8.5). According to the results, shallow waters to the south of the study area concentrate most of the current potential habitats for the species. However, in future scenarios, there was a loss of suitable areas in relation to the Current Potential Habitat (RCP 4.5 46% and RCP 8.5 59%), whereas there is a southward shift of the suitable areas. In all scenarios of FPH, the temperature was the variable with the greatest contribution to the models (> 35%), followed by the current velocity (> 33%) and bathymetry (>29%). In contrast, there is an increase of deep (50-75 m) suitable areas FPH scenarios, mainly in the southern portion of its distribution, at Abrolhos Bank (off Espirito Santo State). These deeper sites might serve as refugia for the species in global warming scenarios. Coral communities at such depths would be less susceptible to impacts of climate change on temperature and salinity. However, the deep sea is not free from human impacts and measures to protect deeper ecosystems should be prioritized in environmental policies for Brazilian marine conservation, especially the Abrolhos Bank, due to its importance for M. harttii.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula Braga Gomes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | | | - Gislaine Vanessa de Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Carlos Daniel Pérez
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
- Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brazil
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7
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Riesgo A, Taboada S, Pérez-Portela R, Melis P, Xavier JR, Blasco G, López-Legentil S. Genetic diversity, connectivity and gene flow along the distribution of the emblematic Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis (Haplosclerida, Demospongiae). BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:24. [PMID: 30651060 PMCID: PMC6335727 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge about the distribution of the genetic variation of marine species is fundamental to address species conservation and management strategies, especially in scenarios with mass mortalities. In the Mediterranean Sea, Petrosia ficiformis is one of the species most affected by temperature-related diseases. Our study aimed to assess its genetic structure, connectivity, and bottleneck signatures to understand its evolutionary history and to provide information to help design conservation strategies of sessile marine invertebrates. RESULTS We genotyped 280 individuals from 19 locations across the entire distribution range of P. ficiformis in the Atlanto-Mediterranean region at 10 microsatellite loci. High levels of inbreeding were detected in most locations (especially in the Macaronesia and the Western Mediterranean) and bottleneck signatures were only detected in Mediterranean populations, although not coinciding entirely with those with reported die-offs. We detected strong significant population differentiation, with the Atlantic populations being the most genetically isolated, and show that six clusters explained the genetic structure along the distribution range of this sponge. Although we detected a pattern of isolation by distance in P. ficiformis when all locations were analyzed together, stratified Mantel tests revealed that other factors could be playing a more prominent role than isolation by distance. Indeed, we detected a strong effect of oceanographic barriers impeding the gene flow among certain areas, the strongest one being the Almeria-Oran front, hampering gene flow between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, migration and genetic diversity distribution analyses suggest a Mediterranean origin for the species. CONCLUSIONS In our study Petrosia ficiformis showed extreme levels of inbreeding and population differentiation, which could all be linked to the poor swimming abilities of the larva. However, the observed moderate migration patterns are highly difficult to reconcile with such poor larval dispersal, and suggest that, although unlikely, dispersal may also be achieved in the gamete phase. Overall, because of the high genetic diversity in the Eastern Mediterranean and frequent mass mortalities in the Western Mediterranean, we suggest that conservation efforts should be carried out specifically in those areas of the Mediterranean to safeguard the genetic diversity of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Riesgo
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Sergi Taboada
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD UK
- Department of Biology (Zoology), Autonomous University of Madrid, Faculty of Sciences, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Pérez-Portela
- Department of Geology and Biology, Physics and Inorganic Chemistry, King Juan Carlos I University, C/ Tulipán s.n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid Spain
| | - Paolo Melis
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana R. Xavier
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- Department of Biology, KG Jebsen Centre for Deep-Sea Research, University of Bergen, Thormøhlensgate 53A, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Gema Blasco
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susanna López-Legentil
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409 USA
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From depth to regional spatial genetic differentiation of Eunicella cavolini in the NW Mediterranean. C R Biol 2018; 341:421-432. [PMID: 30318420 DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Connectivity studies in the marine realm are of great importance to understand the evolutionary potential of populations in a context of growing pressures on the marine environment. Here, we investigated the effect of the local, regional, and depth spatial scale on the population genetic structure of the yellow gorgonian Eunicella cavolini, one of the most common octocoral species of the Mediterranean hard-bottom communities. This species, along with other sessile metazoans typical of coralligenous ecosystems, plays an important role in supporting biodiversity, but is also impacted by direct and indirect consequences of human activities, such as physical destruction or mortality events due to thermal anomalies. Samples were taken from 15 sites located in the Ligurian Sea (NW Mediterranean) in two adjacent regions 100 kilometres apart, i.e. from the areas of Marseille (France) and Portofino (Genoa, Italy), and were analysed using six microsatellite loci. A pattern of isolation by distance was observed at the regional as well as the local scales. Although E. cavolini showed less genetic structure than other Mediterranean octocorallian species, we observed a significant genetic differentiation between populations a few kilometres apart. A low genetic differentiation was also observed between shallow and deep populations. The occurrence of genetically differentiated populations of E. cavolini at the scale of kilometres has important consequences for the management of this species and of the associated communities.
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Ingrosso G, Abbiati M, Badalamenti F, Bavestrello G, Belmonte G, Cannas R, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Bertolino M, Bevilacqua S, Bianchi CN, Bo M, Boscari E, Cardone F, Cattaneo-Vietti R, Cau A, Cerrano C, Chemello R, Chimienti G, Congiu L, Corriero G, Costantini F, De Leo F, Donnarumma L, Falace A, Fraschetti S, Giangrande A, Gravina MF, Guarnieri G, Mastrototaro F, Milazzo M, Morri C, Musco L, Pezzolesi L, Piraino S, Prada F, Ponti M, Rindi F, Russo GF, Sandulli R, Villamor A, Zane L, Boero F. Mediterranean Bioconstructions Along the Italian Coast. ADVANCES IN MARINE BIOLOGY 2018; 79:61-136. [PMID: 30012277 DOI: 10.1016/bs.amb.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine bioconstructions are biodiversity-rich, three-dimensional biogenic structures, regulating key ecological functions of benthic ecosystems worldwide. Tropical coral reefs are outstanding for their beauty, diversity and complexity, but analogous types of bioconstructions are also present in temperate seas. The main bioconstructions in the Mediterranean Sea are represented by coralligenous formations, vermetid reefs, deep-sea cold-water corals, Lithophyllum byssoides trottoirs, coral banks formed by the shallow-water corals Cladocora caespitosa or Astroides calycularis, and sabellariid or serpulid worm reefs. Bioconstructions change the morphological and chemicophysical features of primary substrates and create new habitats for a large variety of organisms, playing pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning. In spite of their importance, Mediterranean bioconstructions have not received the same attention that tropical coral reefs have, and the knowledge of their biology, ecology and distribution is still fragmentary. All existing data about the spatial distribution of Italian bioconstructions have been collected, together with information about their growth patterns, dynamics and connectivity. The degradation of these habitats as a consequence of anthropogenic pressures (pollution, organic enrichment, fishery, coastal development, direct physical disturbance), climate change and the spread of invasive species was also investigated. The study of bioconstructions requires a holistic approach leading to a better understanding of their ecology and the application of more insightful management and conservation measures at basin scale, within ecologically coherent units based on connectivity: the cells of ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Ingrosso
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy.
| | - Marco Abbiati
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Beni Culturali (DBC), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bavestrello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Genuario Belmonte
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lisandro Benedetti-Cecchi
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marco Bertolino
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Stanislao Bevilacqua
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Nike Bianchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Marzia Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Elisa Boscari
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Frine Cardone
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Riccardo Cattaneo-Vietti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Carlo Cerrano
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Renato Chemello
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Chimienti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Congiu
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Corriero
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Federica Costantini
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Francesco De Leo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Luigia Donnarumma
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Falace
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Simonetta Fraschetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Giangrande
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Flavia Gravina
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Guarnieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Mastrototaro
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Milazzo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carla Morri
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita (DiSTAV), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Musco
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Pezzolesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Stefano Piraino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorella Prada
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero (CNR-IAMC), Marine Ecology Laboratory, Castellammare del Golfo, Italy
| | - Massimo Ponti
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Fabio Rindi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fulvio Russo
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Sandulli
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Villamor
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zane
- Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Dipartimento di Biologia, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Boero
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali (DiSTeBA), University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare (CoNISMa), Rome, Italy; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), Genova, Italy
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10
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Costantini F, Ferrario F, Abbiati M. Chasing genetic structure in coralligenous reef invertebrates: patterns, criticalities and conservation issues. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5844. [PMID: 29643422 PMCID: PMC5895814 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation of coastal habitats is a global issue, yet biogenic reefs in temperate regions have received very little attention. They have a broad geographic distribution and are a key habitat in marine ecosystems impacted by human activities. In the Mediterranean Sea coralligenous reefs are biodiversity hot spots and are classified as sensitive habitats deserving conservation. Genetic diversity and structure influence demographic, ecological and evolutionary processes in populations and play a crucial role in conservation strategies. Nevertheless, a comprehensive view of population genetic structure of coralligenous species is lacking. Here, we reviewed the literature on the genetic structure of sessile and sedentary invertebrates of the Mediterranean coralligenous reefs. Linear regression models and meta-analytic approaches are used to assess the contributions of genetic markers, phylum, pelagic larval duration (PLD) and geographical distance to the population genetic structure. Our quantitative approach highlight that 1) most species show a significant genetic structure, 2) structuring differs between phyla, and 3) PLD does not appear to be a major driver of the structuring. We discuss the implication of these finding for the management and conservation, suggesting research areas that deserve attention, and providing recommendations for broad assessment and monitoring of genetic diversity in biogenic reefs species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Costantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, UOS Ravenna, Ravenna, Italy.
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, I - 48123, Ravenna, Italy.
- CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00197, Roma, Italy.
| | | | - Marco Abbiati
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, I - 48123, Ravenna, Italy
- CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00197, Roma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Beni Culturali, Via degli Ariani, 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine, ISMAR, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Samorì C, Costantini F, Galletti P, Tagliavini E, Abbiati M. Inter- and Intraspecific Variability of Nitrogenated Compounds in Gorgonian Corals via Application of a Fast One-Step Analytical Protocol. Chem Biodivers 2018; 15. [PMID: 29164812 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201700449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Gorgonian corals play a structural role in temperate and tropical biogenic reefs, forming animal forests and creating biodiversity hot spots. In the Mediterranean Sea, slow-growing and long-lived gorgonian species are threatened by human disturbances and global environmental changes and concern about their conservation is rising. Alkaloid metabolites have proven to be essential in protecting these species from environmental stressors. Traditional profiling methodologies to detect these metabolites require a large quantity of living tissue. Here, the chemodiversity of gorgonian alkaloids was investigated by applying a fast and effective protocol combining extraction and derivatization using small-scale tissue samples and GC/MS analysis. The method was effective in identifying and quantifying alkaloids and guanine-based compounds. Eight N-heterocyclic compounds were found in six Mediterranean gorgonians differing for types and quantity. The metabolomic profile was conservative in species of the Eunicella genus, with three species sharing the same pattern. Conversely, Paramuricea clavata displayed a noticeable spatial pattern of variation among colonies collected in different locations. The analytical approach presented here proved to be effective, allowing rare, endangered, and small-sized species to be screened rapidly for detection of new compounds in order to explore their biological and ecological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Samorì
- Dipartimento di Chimica 'Giacomo Ciamician', Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Costantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA), Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy.,CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio, 9, 00196, Roma, Italy
| | - Paola Galletti
- Dipartimento di Chimica 'Giacomo Ciamician', Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emilio Tagliavini
- Dipartimento di Chimica 'Giacomo Ciamician', Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Abbiati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA), Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), University of Bologna, Via Sant'Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy.,CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio, 9, 00196, Roma, Italy.,Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Via Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy
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12
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González AM, Prada CA, Ávila V, Medina M. Ecological Speciation in Corals. POPULATION GENOMICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/13836_2018_35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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13
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Aurelle D, Pivotto ID, Malfant M, Topçu NE, Masmoudi MB, Chaoui L, Kara HM, Coelho MA, Castilho R, Haguenauer A. Fuzzy species limits in Mediterranean gorgonians (Cnidaria, Octocorallia): inferences on speciation processes. ZOOL SCR 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Didier Aurelle
- Aix Marseille Univ; Univ Avignon; CNRS, IRD, IMBE; Station Marine d'Endoume 13007 Marseille France
| | - Isabelle D. Pivotto
- Aix Marseille Univ; Univ Avignon; CNRS, IRD, IMBE; Station Marine d'Endoume 13007 Marseille France
- Department of Computer Science and Operations Research (DIRO); University of Montreal; Montréal QC 2194 Canada
| | - Marine Malfant
- Aix Marseille Univ; Univ Avignon; CNRS, IRD, IMBE; Station Marine d'Endoume 13007 Marseille France
- Lab. « Adaptation et Diversité en Milieu Marin »; Team Div&Co; Station Biologique de Roscoff; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, UMR 7144; 29682 Roscoff France
| | - Nur E. Topçu
- Fisheries Faculty; Istanbul University; Ordu Cad No 200 34130 Laleli Istanbul Turkey
| | - Mauatassem B. Masmoudi
- Aix Marseille Univ; Univ Avignon; CNRS, IRD, IMBE; Station Marine d'Endoume 13007 Marseille France
- Laboratoire Bioressources Marines; Université d'Annaba Badji Mokhtar; BP 230 Oued Kouba Annaba 23008 Algeria
| | - Lamya Chaoui
- Laboratoire Bioressources Marines; Université d'Annaba Badji Mokhtar; BP 230 Oued Kouba Annaba 23008 Algeria
| | - Hichem M. Kara
- Laboratoire Bioressources Marines; Université d'Annaba Badji Mokhtar; BP 230 Oued Kouba Annaba 23008 Algeria
| | - Márcio A.G. Coelho
- Aix Marseille Univ; Univ Avignon; CNRS, IRD, IMBE; Station Marine d'Endoume 13007 Marseille France
- Centre for Marine Sciences; CCMAR-CIMAR Laboratório Associado; Universidade do Algarve; Campus do Gambelas 8005-139 Faro Portugal
| | - Rita Castilho
- Centre for Marine Sciences; CCMAR-CIMAR Laboratório Associado; Universidade do Algarve; Campus do Gambelas 8005-139 Faro Portugal
- Graduate Program in Evolution, Ecology and Behavior; University at Buffalo; Buffalo NY 14260 USA
| | - Anne Haguenauer
- Aix Marseille Univ; Univ Avignon; CNRS, IRD, IMBE; Station Marine d'Endoume 13007 Marseille France
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14
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Contrasting patterns of population structure and gene flow facilitate exploration of connectivity in two widely distributed temperate octocorals. Heredity (Edinb) 2017; 119:35-48. [PMID: 28295035 PMCID: PMC5520136 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2017.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Connectivity is an important component of metapopulation dynamics in marine systems and can influence population persistence, migration rates and conservation decisions associated with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). In this study, we compared the genetic diversity, gene flow and population structure of two octocoral species, Eunicella verrucosa and Alcyonium digitatum, in the northeast Atlantic (ranging from the northwest of Ireland and the southern North Sea, to southern Portugal), using two panels of 13 and 8 microsatellite loci, respectively. Our results identified regional genetic structure in E. verrucosa partitioned between populations from southern Portugal, northwest Ireland and Britain/France; subsequent hierarchical analysis of population structure also indicated reduced gene flow between southwest Britain and northwest France. However, over a similar geographical area, A. digitatum showed little evidence of population structure, suggesting high gene flow and/or a large effective population size; indeed, the only significant genetic differentiation detected in A. digitatum occurred between North Sea samples and those from the English Channel/northeast Atlantic. In both species the vast majority of gene flow originated from sample sites within regions, with populations in southwest Britain being the predominant source of contemporary exogenous genetic variants for the populations studied. Overall, historical patterns of gene flow appeared more complex, though again southwest Britain appeared to be an important source of genetic variation for both species. Our findings have major conservation implications, particularly for E. verrucosa, a protected species in UK waters and listed by the IUCN as ‘Vulnerable’, and for the designation and management of European MPAs.
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