SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY: A LATITUDINAL GRADIENT IN GENE FLOW IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

In recent years population genetics and phylogeographic studies have become increasingly valuable tools for inferring both historical and present-day genetic patterns within marine species. Here, we take a comparative approach to population-level study, analyzing original mitochondrial DNA data from...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Evolution 2007-03, Vol.61 (3), p.700-707
Main Authors: Kelly, Ryan P, Eernisse, Douglas J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alaska
Animals
Biological taxonomies
California
Chiton
Comparative analysis
Connectivity
DNA, Mitochondrial - chemistry
Ecological genetics
Evolution
Evolutionary genetics
Gene Flow
Genes
Genetic diversity
Geography
Larvae
Larval development
latitude
marine
Mitochondrial DNA
Mollusks
Oceans and Seas
Polyplacophora
Polyplacophora - genetics
Polyplacophora - physiology
Population genetics
Regression Analysis
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Species
Species Specificity
Temperature
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Summary:In recent years population genetics and phylogeographic studies have become increasingly valuable tools for inferring both historical and present-day genetic patterns within marine species. Here, we take a comparative approach to population-level study, analyzing original mitochondrial DNA data from 969 individuals representing 28 chiton (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) species to uncover large-scale genetic patterns along the Pacific coast of North America. The data reveal a distinct latitudinal connectivity gradient among chitons: species that exist at lower latitudes tend to have more isolated populations. This trend appears to be a product of between-species differences; within species, no significant gradient in connectivity is observed. Lower average annual sea surface temperatures are hypothesized to contribute to longer larval duration (and by extension, greater connectivity) among lecithotrophic species, providing a mechanism for the observed positive correlation between gene flow and latitude. Because increased isolation among populations may lead to speciation, a latitudinal trend in gene flow may contribute to the increased species diversity observed at lower latitudes.
ISSN:0014-3820
1558-5646
DOI:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2007.00055.x