Journal article
Seascape habitat patchiness and hydrodynamics explain genetic structuring of kelp populations
Marine Ecology - Progress Series, Vol.587, pp.81-92
25/01/2018
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Macroalgae underpin most temperate inshore ecosystems, but increasing macroalgal loss, fragmentation and range contractions are eroding connectivity among populations. Understanding loss, and predicting the likelihood of recovery, is dependent on knowledge of population connectivity and how it is mediated by variability in local seascapes. Although many studies of marine macroalgal connectivity have focussed on influences of geographic distance on genetic structure, the contribution of intervening habitat is rarely considered. We tested the extent to which geographic separation, intervening suitable habitat (reef versus sand and open water) and local hydrodynamics (inferred from particle dispersal models) explained structuring of genetic variation at microsatellite loci in the habitat forming macroalga Lessonia corrugata. Genetic structuring was best explained by the availability of suitable intervening habitat (rocky reef) rather than by geographic separation, although biologically realistic estimates of dispersal probability also became important at smaller spatial scales. Our results indicate that ecological separation can be more influential than geographic distance on population genetic structuring, and this should be considered during the assessment of connectivity and gene flow in marine species.
Details
- Title
- Seascape habitat patchiness and hydrodynamics explain genetic structuring of kelp populations
- Creators
- Halley M S Durrant - University of TasmaniaNeville S Barrett - University of TasmaniaGraham J Edgar - University of TasmaniaMelinda A Coleman - NSW FisheriesChristopher P Burridge - University of Tasmania
- Publication Details
- Marine Ecology - Progress Series, Vol.587, pp.81-92
- Publisher
- Inter-Research
- Grant note
- This project was funded by the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment and the Australian Research Council (LP100200122 awarded to G.J.E.).
- Identifiers
- 991012927093002368
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2018 Inter-Research
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science; National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article