Genetic discontinuity among regional populations of Lophelia pertusa in the North Atlantic Ocean

Knowledge of the degree to which populations are connected through larval dispersal is imperative to effective management, yet little is known about larval dispersal ability or population connectivity in Lophelia pertusa , the dominant framework-forming coral on the continental slope in the North At...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Conservation genetics 2011-06, Vol.12 (3), p.713-729
Main Authors: Morrison, Cheryl L., Ross, Steve W., Nizinski, Martha S., Brooke, Sandra, Järnegren, Johanna, Waller, Rhian G., Johnson, Robin L., King, Tim L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Genetics and Genomics
Biodiversity
Biogeography
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Conservation Biology/Ecology
Continental slope
Coral reefs
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Genetic markers
Larvae
Life Sciences
Marine biology
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Population differentiation
Population genetics
Research Article
Seamounts
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Summary:Knowledge of the degree to which populations are connected through larval dispersal is imperative to effective management, yet little is known about larval dispersal ability or population connectivity in Lophelia pertusa , the dominant framework-forming coral on the continental slope in the North Atlantic Ocean. Using nine microsatellite DNA markers, we assessed the spatial scale and pattern of genetic connectivity across a large portion of the range of L. pertusa in the North Atlantic Ocean. A Bayesian modeling approach found four distinct genetic groupings corresponding to ocean regions: Gulf of Mexico, coastal southeastern U.S., New England Seamounts, and eastern North Atlantic Ocean. An isolation-by-distance pattern was supported across the study area. Estimates of pairwise population differentiation were greatest with the deepest populations, the New England Seamounts (average F ST  = 0.156). Differentiation was intermediate with the eastern North Atlantic populations ( F ST  = 0.085), and smallest between southeastern U.S. and Gulf of Mexico populations ( F ST  = 0.019), with evidence of admixture off the southeastern Florida peninsula. Connectivity across larger geographic distances within regions suggests that some larvae are broadly dispersed. Heterozygote deficiencies were detected within the majority of localities suggesting deviation from random mating. Gene flow between ocean regions appears restricted, thus, the most effective management scheme for L. pertusa involves regional reserve networks.
ISSN:1566-0621
1572-9737
DOI:10.1007/s10592-010-0178-5