Clonal diversity and connectedness of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) populations in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Campanella, James J.; Bologna, Paul A.X.; Carvalho, Maria Luiza Silveira de; Smalley, John V.; Elakhrass, Mohamedhakim; Meredith, Robert W.; Zaben, Nadia

doi:10.1016/j.aquabot.2015.01.008

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Seven loci were employed for this analysis for the pragmatic reasons of cost, time, and experience with previous research [14,23,25]. Additionally, Koskinen et al [26] suggests that little benefit is gained when more than seven loci are utilized in a population genetic study that is non-evolutionary in nature.…”

Section: Dna Extraction and Microsatellite Amplificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The PCR reactions were carried out using the protocol of Campanella et al [14] with modifications for the microsatellites employed. Specifically, the PCR program consisted of a 3 min denaturing step at 95…”

Section: Dna Extraction and Microsatellite Amplificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Allele sizes of microsatellite PCR products were determined in the same manner as Campanella et al [14]. The number of individuals in the R. mangle populations studied ranged from N = 18 to N = 27.…”

Section: Microsatellite Allele Size Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While anthropogenic destruction of mangroves is still the dominant loss factor, natural disturbances also play a critical role in the health of these communities. Tropical storms can inflict significant damage to coastal ecosystems including mangroves, as well as associated communities like coral reefs and seagrass beds [14,15]. Seagrass beds have greater resiliency to disturbance given their growth rate compared to reefs and mangroves, and damaged seagrass systems may recover in a matter of years [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Lingering Impacts of Hurricane Hugo on Rhizophora mangle (Red Mangrove) Population Genetics on St. John, USVI

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Stochastic events can have catastrophic effects on island populations through a series of genetic stressors from reduced population size. We investigated five populations of red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) from St. John, USVI, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which were impacted by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Our goal was to determine diversity and to ascertain potential population bottlenecks two decades after the event. With the lowest observed heterozygosity, highest inbreeding coefficient, and evidence of a major bottleneck, our results demonstrated that the Great Lameshur mangroves, devastated by Hurricane Hugo, were the least diverse stand of trees. The other four populations from St. John manifested diversity reflecting the vegetation patterns of “fringing” mangrove or “developed forest” characteristics. The two fringing mangrove populations (Hurricane Hole and New Found Bay) evinced low observed heterozygosity and high inbreeding coefficients, while the fully forested sites showed higher heterozygosity and lower inbreeding frequencies. As such, fringing mangroves may be at greater risk to disturbance events and especially susceptible to sea level rise since they do not have room landward to expand. Our pair-wise population analysis indicated genetic similarity between the hurricane-damaged Great Lameshur and Coral Bay population, whose propagules were used in previous restoration attempts and is the geographically closest population. While the effective population size for Great Lameshur Bay places it in risk of genetic dysfunction, future rehabilitation of the site may be possible by the introduction of propagules from other regions of the island. However, recovery will ultimately be contingent upon hydrological connectivity and environmental improvements.

show abstract