Phylogeography of the Antarctic planktotrophic brittle star Ophionotus victoriae reveals genetic structure inconsistent with early life history |
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Authors: | Rebecca L Hunter Kenneth M Halanych |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 101 Rouse Life Sciences Building, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;(2) Department of Biology, Abilene Christian University, 477 Foster Science Building, ACU Box 27868, Abilene, TX 79699, USA |
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Abstract: | In the marine environment, connectivity is influenced by physical oceanography as well as life history and behavioral traits,
which in combination with historical events such as geology, physical oceanography, and climate, determine population structure.
The Antarctic brittle star Ophionotus victoriae develops via a feeding planktonic larval stage, and therefore has potential for long-distance dispersal throughout its Antarctic/subantarctic
range. To evaluate this hypothesis, phylogeography of this ecologically dominant species was elucidated by sequence analysis
of two mtDNA genes from individuals collected throughout the Antarctic Peninsula and from two subantarctic islands. Counter
to expectations of genetic homogeneity, mtDNA data revealed substantial levels of genetic differentiation as well as diversity.
Although there were some genetically homogeneous populations, such as those throughout Bransfield Strait, we found O. victoriae to have significant population structure throughout much of the Antarctic Peninsula, with evidence of potential cryptic speciation
between the western and eastern Antarctic Peninsula. Furthermore, Antarctic Peninsula populations were genetically distinct
from subantarctic island populations. The low levels of connectivity implied for O. victoriae contrast with those found for many other Antarctic benthic taxa, and suggest a complex interplay between oceanography, recent
climate history, and larval ecology. |
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