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11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

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14.461<br />

On The Trail Of A Voracious Predator – The Phylogeography Of acanthaster Planci<br />

Catherine VOGLER* 1 , Paul BARBER 2 , John BENZIE 3 , Gert WÖRHEIDE 1<br />

1 Courant Research Center Geobiology, <strong>University</strong> of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany,<br />

2 Boston <strong>University</strong>, Boston, MA, 3 Moana Technologies, Aiea, HI<br />

Due to their high dispersal potential and the apparent lack of barriers in the marine realm,<br />

widespread marine organisms have long been expected to display little genetic<br />

structuring. Yet recent studies on marine invertebrates challenge this belief. Distributed<br />

throughout the Indo-Pacific, and as such an ideal model for understanding patterns<br />

influencing its genetic structure, the conspicuous crown-of-thorns starfish Acanthaster<br />

planci has drawn much public and scientific attention over the last 40 years. Despite<br />

being a natural predator of corals, it is notoriously infamous for its dramatically<br />

destructive oubreaks that have devastated coral reefs throughout its distribution range.<br />

However, until today, little is understood about its larval dispersal patterns, the<br />

connectivity among populations, and the spread of outbreaks among reefs - all essential<br />

elements to appreciate the scale of A. planci’s threat to coral reefs and devise appropriate<br />

management plans.<br />

Previous studies on A. planci have allowed uncovering substantial gene flow among<br />

populations over large distances; nonetheless a major genetic differentiation between the<br />

Indian and Pacific Oceans was also detected. However, the lack of resolution of the<br />

markers used in these studies limited the interpretability of the data at a finer scale. By<br />

investigating A. planci’s phylogeography using sequences of the mtDNA control region,<br />

and increasing the sampling to its whole distribution range, this study allowed<br />

distinguishing several differentiated clades - probably influenced by past geo-tectonic<br />

events and sea level changes, as well as current oceanographic patterns - and<br />

understanding more about the dispersal patterns of this ecologically important<br />

corallivore.<br />

14.462<br />

The Smell Of Leaves Helps Coral Reef Clownfish Find Island Homes<br />

Danielle L. DIXSON* 1 , Geoffery P. JONES 1,2 , Serge PLANES 3 , Morgan S.<br />

PRATCHETT 1,2 , Maya SRINIVASAN 1,2 , Craig SYMS 1 , Simon R. THORROLD 4<br />

1 School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook <strong>University</strong>, Townsville, Australia,<br />

2 ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook <strong>University</strong>, Townsville,<br />

Australia, 3 Laboratoire Écosystèmes Aquatiques Tropicaux et Méditerranéens, Université<br />

de Perpignan, Perpignan, France, 4 Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,<br />

Woods Hole, MA<br />

Coral reef fish larvae can potentially use a range of stimuli to locate and orientate<br />

towards natal reefs. While a high proportion of juvenile clownfish Amphiprion percula<br />

settle on natal reefs, how they find their way home is unknown. In Kimbe Bay (Papua<br />

New Guinea), A. percula is most abundant on the shallow reef flats and in lagoons<br />

associated with isolated vegetated islands and is rare on reefs without islands. Here we<br />

used a series of pair-wise choice experiments to investigate the role of water-borne<br />

olfactory cues potentially used to find islands. Recently settled juvenile A. percula<br />

preferred: (1) Water collected near islands instead of offshore water; (2) Water taken<br />

from reefs with islands instead of water from reefs without islands; and (3) Natal lagoon<br />

water instead of water from another lagoon. In addition, (4) juveniles preferred water<br />

treated with rainforest leaves compared to untreated offshore water. We hypothesize that<br />

A. percula use a cocktail of olfactory stimuli to locate vegetated islands, which may<br />

explain the high levels of self-recruitment on island reefs. This previously unrecognised<br />

link between coral reefs and island vegetation argues for the integrated management of<br />

these pristine tropical habitats.<br />

Poster Mini-Symposium 14: Reef Connectivity<br />

14.463<br />

Reef Connectivity Of Marine Reserves in Central Philippines As Determined Using Fish<br />

Mitochondrial Dna<br />

Amida Diwata MACANSANTOS* 1 , Hilconida CALUMPONG 1 , Ma. Rio NAGUIT 1 , Jacinta<br />

LUCAÑAS 1 , Janet ESTACION 1 , Adonis FLOREN 1<br />

1 Silliman <strong>University</strong> Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences, Dumaguete City,<br />

Philippines<br />

A patchwork of Marine Reserves have been established in central Philippines as a means of<br />

conserving and enhancing its marine resources. However, these reserves were established<br />

without any particular design or consideration of their ecological connectivity which is so<br />

important for their sustainability. The objective of this study was to determine the connectivity<br />

of marine reserves in the central Philippines to assist coastal managers in determining priority<br />

areas for protection and in site selection to enhance productivity. Mitochondrial DNA of fish<br />

collected from the vicinity of twelve marine reserves found throughout central Philippines was<br />

used to compare genetic variation and infer genetic structure. Two fish species, Dascyllus<br />

trimaculatus and Pterocaesio pisang were used because they exhibit extreme differences in<br />

pelagic larval duration and mode of dispersal. Water current patterns from each site was<br />

determined using the drogue method. Preliminary analysis using PAUP* 4.0 showed three<br />

subgroups of more similar haplotypes that correspond to three levels of geographic distance.<br />

Dascyllus trimaculatus exhibited a stronger genetic structure compared to P. pisang which is a<br />

more mobile species. The genetic structure obtained is supported by the water current patterns.<br />

14.465<br />

Genetic Structure Of The Giant Clam, tridacna Crocea As Indicator Of Connectivity<br />

Among Mpas in Central Philippines<br />

Maria Rio NAGUIT* 1,2 , Hilconida CALUMPONG 2 , Janet ESTACION 2 , Amida Diwata<br />

MACANSANTOS 3<br />

1 Jose Rizal Memorial State College, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines, 2 Institute of<br />

Environment and Marine Sciences, Silliman <strong>University</strong>, Dumaguete, Philippines, 3 Institute of<br />

Environment and Marine Sciences, Silliman <strong>University</strong>, Dumguete, Philippines<br />

The genetic structure of five populations of the giant clam, Tridacna crocea from reefs in the<br />

Central Philippines was determined using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1). Samples<br />

from the Spratly group of islands were included for comparison. Results showed a remarkably<br />

high level of haplotypic diversity but low nucleotide diversity. Analysis using Molecular<br />

Analysis of Variance (AMOVA) revealed significant homogeneity which indicates geneflow<br />

among the five populations. This translates to MPA connectivity and highlights the importance<br />

of each MPA sampled as both source and sink of T. crocea.<br />

379

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