Evidence of the restricted gene flow within a small spatial scale in the Japanese common intertidal goby Chaenogobius annularis

Abstract

Elucidating the scale of gene flow among populations is an important challenge for understanding the ecological dynamics and local adaptation of marine organisms. We assessed whether gene flow is restricted even at a small spatial scale in the Japanese common intertidal goby Chaenogobius annularis, using highly polymorphic DNA markers, involving the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and 15 microsatellite DNA (msDNA), because past ecological studies have suggested low dispersal ability for rocky intertidal fishes. We found significant heterogeneities between four neighboring local populations by both mtDNA and msDNA analyses. In addition, no genetic heterogeneity was detected by either method across generations within a population; it was considered that such genetic differentiation is retained across generations and that the gene flow of this species is restricted to within a radius of a few kilometers. This is the first report showing a clear genetic subdivision in rocky intertidal fish.

The role of life‐history traits, selective pressure and hydrographic boundaries in shaping the genetic structure of the transparent goby, Aphia minuta

“…The level of genetic variability detected using microsatellite loci in A. minuta was moderate (N AM = 10.23 AE 1.48; H E = 0.587 AE 0.064) compared with other marine species, which typically show mean levels of allelic variation of at least 20.6 AE 11.8 and higher heterozygosity (H = 0.77 AE 0.19) (for further considerations see DeWoody & Avise 2000). Within the family Gobiidae, the levels of polymorphism and heterozygosis found here for A. minuta are more similar to those identified in goby species with limited dispersal abilities or inhabiting freshwater environments (Hirase et al 2012;Hughes et al 2012), rather than to marine species with potential for high gene flow .…”

“…; Hirase et al . ) and suggested a substantial degree of genetic differentiation between the samples analysed. Owing to a higher potential for connectivity, marine organisms usually show F ST values lower than those observed in freshwater or terrestrial organisms (Ward ), and low but significant values should be interpreted as good predictors of limited population inter‐exchange (Knutsen et al .…”

“…; Hirase et al . ). Interestingly, the sample that showed the lowest level of genetic variability at all four genetic diversity estimators was the one from the Atlantic area (GU).…”

“…Within the family Gobiidae, the levels of polymorphism and heterozygosis found here for A. minuta are more similar to those identified in goby species with limited dispersal abilities or inhabiting freshwater environments (Hirase et al . ; Hughes et al . ), rather than to marine species with potential for high gene flow (Pampoulie et al .…”

Environmental variables, habitat discontinuity and life history shaping the genetic structure of Pomatoschistus marmoratus

“…Patterns of gene flow in benthic shore fishes appear to stem in part from aspects of life history, larval dispersal, adult migration, habitat discontinuity and coastal water currents (Marques et al 2006;Giovannotti et al 2009;Earl et al 2010;Riginos et al 2011;Hirase et al 2012;Durand et al 2013). Moreover, differences in reproductive strategy may have an important impact on genetic diversity and population structure (González-Wangüemert and Pérez-Ruzafa 2012; Portnoy et al 2013).…”