Subtle genetic structure reveals restricted connectivity among populations of a coral reef fish inhabiting remote atolls

Underwood, Jim N.; Travers, Michael J.; Gilmour, James

doi:10.1002/ece3.80

Cited by 21 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…These results also support the hypothesis that local recruitment is not incompatible with long-distance dispersal and that they may often occur together in marine species (e.g. [74, 75]).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

High Interannual Variability in Connectivity and Genetic Pool of a Temperate Clingfish Matches Oceanographic Transport Predictions

et al. 2016

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Adults of most marine benthic and demersal fish are site-attached, with the dispersal of their larval stages ensuring connectivity among populations. In this study we aimed to infer spatial and temporal variation in population connectivity and dispersal of a marine fish species, using genetic tools and comparing these with oceanographic transport. We focused on an intertidal rocky reef fish species, the shore clingfish Lepadogaster lepadogaster, along the southwest Iberian Peninsula, in 2011 and 2012. We predicted high levels of self-recruitment and distinct populations, due to short pelagic larval duration and because all its developmental stages have previously been found near adult habitats. Genetic analyses based on microsatellites countered our prediction and a biophysical dispersal model showed that oceanographic transport was a good explanation for the patterns observed. Adult sub-populations separated by up to 300 km of coastline displayed no genetic differentiation, revealing a single connected population with larvae potentially dispersing long distances over hundreds of km. Despite this, parentage analysis performed on recruits from one focal site within the Marine Park of Arrábida (Portugal), revealed self-recruitment levels of 2.5% and 7.7% in 2011 and 2012, respectively, suggesting that both long- and short-distance dispersal play an important role in the replenishment of these populations. Population differentiation and patterns of dispersal, which were highly variable between years, could be linked to the variability inherent in local oceanographic processes. Overall, our measures of connectivity based on genetic and oceanographic data highlight the relevance of long-distance dispersal in determining the degree of connectivity, even in species with short pelagic larval durations.

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“…These results also support the hypothesis that local recruitment is not incompatible with long-distance dispersal and that they may often occur together in marine species (e.g. [74, 75]).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

High Interannual Variability in Connectivity and Genetic Pool of a Temperate Clingfish Matches Oceanographic Transport Predictions

et al. 2016

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“…Distances between these groups of reefs and the coast limits any likelihood of larval exchange and genetic evidence suggests that fish communities on the reefs can be largely dependent on self-recruitment [37]. Additionally, tracking studies of grey reef sharks ( Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos ) at the Rowley Shoals have shown that there is little to no movement among reefs within the Shoals [38].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caught in the Middle: Combined Impacts of Shark Removal and Coral Loss on the Fish Communities of Coral Reefs

et al. 2013

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Due to human activities, marine and terrestrial ecosystems face a future where disturbances are predicted to occur at a frequency and severity unprecedented in the recent past. Of particular concern is the ability of systems to recover where multiple stressors act simultaneously. We examine this issue in the context of a coral reef ecosystem where increases in stressors, such as fisheries, benthic degradation, cyclones and coral bleaching, are occurring at global scales. By utilizing long-term (decadal) monitoring programs, we examined the combined effects of chronic (removal of sharks) and pulse (cyclones, bleaching) disturbances on the trophic structure of coral reef fishes at two isolated atoll systems off the coast of northwest Australia. We provide evidence consistent with the hypothesis that the loss of sharks can have an impact that propagates down the food chain, potentially contributing to mesopredator release and altering the numbers of primary consumers. Simultaneously, we show how the effects of bottom-up processes of bleaching and cyclones appear to propagate up the food chain through herbivores, planktivores and corallivores, but do not affect carnivores. Because their presence may promote the abundance of herbivores, the removal of sharks by fishing has implications for both natural and anthropogenic disturbances involving the loss of corals, as herbivores are critical to the progress and outcome of coral recovery.

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“…Likely, not all marine species have larger N e than related FW species, as some marine organisms are specialized to habitats occupying small geographic areas, such as on coral reefs (e.g., Underwood et al. ).…”

Section: Metabolic Ratementioning

confidence: 99%

Do saline taxa evolve faster? Comparing relative rates of molecular evolution between freshwater and marine eukaryotes

et al. 2016

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The major branches of life diversified in the marine realm, and numerous taxa have since transitioned between marine and freshwaters. Previous studies have demonstrated higher rates of molecular evolution in crustaceans inhabiting continental saline habitats as compared with freshwaters, but it is unclear whether this trend is pervasive or whether it applies to the marine environment. We employ the phylogenetic comparative method to investigate relative molecular evolutionary rates between 148 pairs of marine or continental saline versus freshwater lineages representing disparate eukaryote groups, including bony fish, elasmobranchs, cetaceans, crustaceans, mollusks, annelids, algae, and other eukaryotes, using available protein-coding and noncoding genes. Overall, we observed no consistent pattern in nucleotide substitution rates linked to habitat across all genes and taxa. However, we observed some trends of higher evolutionary rates within protein-coding genes in freshwater taxa-the comparisons mainly involving bony fish-compared with their marine relatives. The results suggest no systematic differences in substitution rate between marine and freshwater organisms.

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Subtle genetic structure reveals restricted connectivity among populations of a coral reef fish inhabiting remote atolls

Cited by 21 publications

References 78 publications

High Interannual Variability in Connectivity and Genetic Pool of a Temperate Clingfish Matches Oceanographic Transport Predictions

High Interannual Variability in Connectivity and Genetic Pool of a Temperate Clingfish Matches Oceanographic Transport Predictions

Caught in the Middle: Combined Impacts of Shark Removal and Coral Loss on the Fish Communities of Coral Reefs

Do saline taxa evolve faster? Comparing relative rates of molecular evolution between freshwater and marine eukaryotes

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