11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University
11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University
11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University
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14.474<br />
Population Genetic Structure of the Scleractinian Coral Seriatopora hystrix on<br />
the Great Barrier Reef as Revealed by Microsatellites: Patterns of Reproduction<br />
and Dispersal<br />
Elke MAIER* 1 , Ralph TOLLRIAN 2 , Beate NÜRNBERGER 1<br />
1<br />
Department Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany,<br />
2<br />
Lehrstuhl für Evolutionsökologie und Biodiversität der Tiere, Ruhr-Universität Bochum,<br />
Bochum, Germany<br />
Pelagic dispersal of larvae is a fundamental process in coral population dynamics and<br />
evolution because it affects the rate and pattern of adaptation and determines the<br />
dynamics of local extinction and re-colonisation. Thus it is critical for the persistence of<br />
populations and a central issue for the design of marine reserves. We present a<br />
microsatellite study on the brooding coral Seriatopora hystrix from the Great Barrier<br />
Reef, sampled at nine locations from two geographical regions (Lizard and Heron Island,<br />
max. distance: ~1200 km). We employed traditional population genetic analyses together<br />
with recent Bayesian approaches to evaluate within-site genetic structure as well as<br />
connectivity patterns on different spatial scales. Specifically, we aimed to 1) infer<br />
reproductive mode, 2) identify causes of heterozygote deficits that occurred at all sites,<br />
3) evaluate migration patterns and 4) detect immigrants. Within-site genetic structure<br />
revealed evidence for low levels of clonal propagation at several locations. Observed<br />
heterozygote deficits were best explained by a combination of null alleles and population<br />
processes (e.g. Wahlund effects, sampling of close relatives). Levels of genetic<br />
differentiation were low (Lizard Island) to moderate (Heron Island) within regions<br />
whereas marked differentiation between regions indicated little genetic exchange. At<br />
Heron Island, cluster analyses revealed pronounced substructure within sites which<br />
allowed us to identify individual immigrants. In contrast, Lizard Island sites appeared<br />
highly homogeneous, consistent with low levels of immigration. Furthermore, we<br />
investigated the occurrence of within-colony heterogeneity. We found that both<br />
allogeneic fusions and somatic mutations occurred. Our results imply that restricted<br />
dispersal and local adaptation should be regarded as critical factors for the conservation<br />
of S. hystrix.<br />
14.475<br />
Race To The Reef: Tracking Reef Fish From Open Ocean To Nursery Habitats To<br />
Coral Reefs And Back Again…<br />
Samantha WHITCRAFT* 1 , John LAMKIN 2<br />
1 RSMAS - Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, Miami, FL,<br />
2 NOAA - Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Miami, FL<br />
The Early Life History Team at NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center is a multidisciplinary<br />
team of scientists dedicated to excellence in early life history research to<br />
support applied fisheries management and habitat conservation in the Southeast Atlantic,<br />
Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean ecosystems. To that end, we study the dynamics of how<br />
specific fish species use a variety of habitats during their life-cycle. For example, adult<br />
gray snappers (Lutjanus griseus) tend to spawn in deeper coastal waters, usually in<br />
association with coral reefs or hard-bottom substrate while coastal mangroves provide the<br />
intermediate juvenile habitat for gray snappers that recruit to seagrass beds. To study<br />
spawning and larval transport in pelagic waters we conduct large-scale survey cruises that<br />
sample, quantify, map, and model the distribution of specific fisheries species. To study<br />
smaller-scale estuarine and inshore habitat use and movements of snappers we use<br />
acoustic tagging and tracking to determine site fidelity and habitat requirements.<br />
Understanding this dynamic ecosystem connectivity is vital to essential coastal habitat<br />
conservation planning and fisheries management.<br />
Poster Mini-Symposium 14: Reef Connectivity<br />
14.477<br />
Zonation of Mesophotic Reefs in the Bahamas<br />
John REED* 1 , Shirley POMPONI 2 , Robert GINSBURG 3<br />
1 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Fort Pierce, FL, 2 Harbor Branch Oceanographic<br />
Institute, fort Pierce, FL, 3 <strong>University</strong> of Miami, Miami, FL<br />
Fore-reef escarpments, margins of carbonate platforms, and island slopes provide an expansive<br />
zone for mesophotic reefs throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas that may exceed 24,000<br />
linear km at depths of 30->100 m. Mesophotic reefs occur where there are suitable<br />
combinations of geomorphology (steep, rocky slope), low sedimentation, light and temperature,<br />
that often result in biological diversity that may rival shallow water reefs. Shallow reef species<br />
that extend into the mesophotic zone provide potential connectivity and resilience to emerging<br />
threats such as rising sea-surface temperatures. Submersible dives document the macrobenthos<br />
at various sites within the mesophotic zone throughout the Bahamas using video-transects,<br />
benthic samples, and CTD. Video images from these dives analyzed by pointcount software<br />
(CPCe) reveal percent cover of habitat: rock (pavement, boulders, wall), sediment, and rubble;<br />
benthic macrobiota: coral (scleractinia, gorgonacea), sponge, and algae (red, brown, green); and<br />
percentage of corals with apparent disease and/or bleaching. Temperatures are more stable and<br />
cooler at mesophotic depths, ranging from 22-28 o C at 60-150 m with 1-3 o C thermocline<br />
common at 50-100 m. Moderated maximum temperatures on mesophotic reefs result in reduced<br />
coral bleaching compared to shallow reefs. Previous studies indicate that certain scleractinians<br />
are restricted to the deep reef zone, such as Agaricia grahamae (115 m maximum depth) and<br />
Leptoseris cucullata (108 m), whereas other species are ubiquitous to the entire reefal depth<br />
range (Monastraea cavernosa, 3-113 m). Likewise, some algae and sponges are either<br />
restrictive in their zonation or occupy broad and contiguous ranges from shallow to deep. Our<br />
historical records from submersible dives throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean extend nearly<br />
30 years and are invaluable resources for marine managers for tracking natural and<br />
anthropogenic changes in these diverse deep reef ecosystems, and also for assessing their<br />
potential to mitigate losses in shallow water areas.<br />
14.478<br />
Geographic Differentiation And Mass Mortalities Of A Mediterranean Symbiotic<br />
Gorgonian: eunicella Singularis<br />
Jérôme CATANÉO* 1 , Paola FURLA 1 , Denis ALLEMAND 2 , Didier FORCIOLI 1<br />
1 2<br />
ECOMERS, Nice-Sophia Antipolis <strong>University</strong>, Nice cedex2, France, Scientific Centre of<br />
Monaco, Monaco, Monaco<br />
Over the past decade, Mediterranean seawaters have undergone important warming events<br />
which led to episodic but massive mortalities of many marine invertebrates. Among these,<br />
Eunicella singularis, the only symbiotic Mediterranean gorgonian, has been particularly<br />
affected. However the observed mortalities varied locally in this species. Such heterogeneity<br />
could be due to a genetic differentiation of the holobiont.<br />
Geographical differentiation among the Mediterranean populations of a non-symbiotic<br />
gorgonian has already been found (Costantini et al., 2007) and could occur also for Eunicella<br />
singularis. Unlike tropical corals, and despite a broad bathymetric distribution, Eunicella<br />
singularis harbours only one Symbiodinium sp. sub-clade (A’).<br />
The aim of this work was then to find if the heterogeneity in mortality could be linked to<br />
geographical and/or bathymetric differentiation of Eunicella singularis, in both the host and its<br />
symbionts at an intra-clade level. We also determined the impact of the recent mortalities on the<br />
genetic diversity of Eunicella singularis.<br />
To study these issues, we identified a dozen of microsatellite loci from the genomes of<br />
Eunicella singularis and of its symbionts. New loci had to be developed as it has not been<br />
possible to use microsatellites found in other cnidarian or symbiotic clades. More than two<br />
hundred individuals collected on half a dozen sites at different depths were genotyped.<br />
Geographic differentiation was explored by bayesian analysis.<br />
This work, through a better understanding of the adaptive mechanisms within this symbiosis, is<br />
a key step in the development of a conservation program for this patrimonial specie.<br />
LITERATURE CITED<br />
Costantini, F et al. – 2007 – Marine Ecology Progress Series (340) – pp109-119<br />
382