Unexpectedly complex gradation of coral population structure in the Nansei Islands, Japan
نویسندگان
چکیده
To establish effective locations and sizes of potential protected areas for reef ecosystems, detailed information about source and sink relationships between populations is critical, especially in archipelagic regions. Therefore, we assessed population structure and genetic diversity of Acropora tenuis, one of the dominant stony coral species in the Pacific, using 13 microsatellite markers to investigate 298 colonies from 15 locations across the Nansei Islands in southwestern Japan. Genetic diversity was not significant among sampling locations, even in possibly peripheral locations. In addition, our results showed that there are at least two populations of A. tenuis in the study area. The level of genetic differentiation between these populations was relatively low, but significant between many pairs of sampling locations. Directions of gene flow, which were estimated using a coalescence-based approach, suggest that gene flow not only occurs from south to north, but also from north to south in various locations. Consequently, the Yaeyama Islands and the Amami Islands are potential northern and southern sources of corals. On the other hand, the Miyako Islands and west central Okinawa Island are potential sink populations. The Kerama Islands and the vicinity of Taketomi Island are potential contact points of genetic subdivision of coral populations in the Nansei Islands. We found that genetic population structure of A. tenuis in the Nansei Islands is more complex than previously thought. These cryptic populations are very important for preserving genetic diversity and should be maintained.
منابع مشابه
Gene Flow and Genetic Diversity of a Broadcast-Spawning Coral in Northern Peripheral Populations
Recently, reef-building coral populations have been decreasing worldwide due to various disturbances. Population genetic studies are helpful for estimating the genetic connectivity among populations of marine sessile organisms with metapopulation structures such as corals. Moreover, the relationship between latitude and genetic diversity is informative when evaluating the fragility of populatio...
متن کاملGenetic differentiation and connectivity of morphological types of the broadcast-spawning coral Galaxea fascicularis in the Nansei Islands, Japan.
Population connectivity resulting from larval dispersal is essential for the maintenance or recovery of populations in marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. Studies of species diversity and genetic connectivity within species are essential for the conservation of corals and coral reef ecosystems. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequence types and microsatellite genotypes of the broadcast-spaw...
متن کاملMapping the Socio-Economic and Ecological Resilience of Japanese Coral Reefscapes across a Decade
Shallow coral reefs threatened by climate change must be spatio-temporally analyzed in terms of their protection of coastal human populations. This study combines Japanese spatio-temporal gradients of population/asset and coral buffering exposure to stress-inducing and stress-mitigating factors so that the socio-economic and ecological (SEE) resilience tied to coral reefscapes can be regionally...
متن کاملBioaccumulation of Heavy Metals (Pb, Fe & Zn) in the Tissues of Skeletal Coral family, Faviidae and Surrounding Sediments in the South of Qeshm Island-The Persian Gulf
The following research was conducted to study the concentration of Pb, Fe & Zn in skeletons and sediments of dominant hard coral family (Faviidae) in Zeyton Park, Naz Islands and Shib-deraz stations, South of Qeshm Island. The analysis of these heavy metals in digested samples of skeletons and sediments was done using graphite furnace Atomic Absorbtion Spectophotometry for measuring the levels ...
متن کامل