Population connectivity in the temperate damselfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parma microlepis</Emphasis>: analyses of genetic structure across multiple spatial scales |
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Authors: | Belinda G Curley Michael R Gillings |
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Institution: | (1) School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia;(2) Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia |
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Abstract: | This study investigated the utility of microsatellite markers for providing information on levels of population connectivity
for a low dispersing reef fish in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, at scales ≤400 km. It was hypothesized that the temperate
damselfish Parma
microlepis, which produces benthic eggs and has limited post-settlement dispersal, would exhibit spatial genetic structure and a significant
pattern of isolation-by-distance (IBD). A fully nested hierarchical sampling design incorporating three spatial scales (sites,
location and regions, separated by 1–2, 10–50 and 70–80 km respectively) was used to determine genetic variability at seven
microsatellite loci. Broad-scale genetic homogeneity and lack of IBD was well supported by single and multi-locus analyses.
The proportion of the total genetic variation attributable to differences among regions, locations or sites was effectively
zero (Φ/R-statistics ≤0.007). The geographic distribution of genetic diversity and levels of polymorphism (H
E 0.21–0.95) indicate high mutation rates, large effective population sizes, and high rates of gene flow. Significant gene
flow may be driven by factors influencing pre-settlement dispersal, including the East Australian Current (EAC) and habitat
continuity. Genetic connectivity may not reflect demographically important connectivity, but does imply that P. microlepis populations are well connected from an evolutionary perspective. Total observed genetic diversity was accounted for within
1–2 km of reef and could be represented within small Marine Protected Areas. Reef fishes in NSW which have life histories
similar to P. microlepis (e.g. pre-settlement durations ≥2 weeks) are also likely to exhibit genetic homogeneity. Genetic markers are, therefore,
most likely to provide information on demographically relevant connectivity for species with lower dispersal capabilities,
small population sizes, short life spans, and whose habitats are rare, or patchily distributed along-shore.
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
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