TY - JOUR
T1 - Connectivity of the seagrass Zostera muelleri within south-eastern Australia
AU - Stafford-Bell, R. E.
AU - Van Dongen, W. F. D.
AU - Robinson, R. W.
AU - Chariton, A. A.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Contemporary oceanic conditions and local dispersal of propagules influence the genetic diversity and connectivity among seagrass populations. The degree of connectivity between populations of Zostera muelleri in south-eastern Australia is unknown. In this study we examined genetic connectivity among 25 sites containing Z. muelleri using nine polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci. We hypothesised minimal sharing of genetic material between distant populations and a degree of connectivity between local populations. Genotypic diversity was high, with 64% of populations having unique multilocus genotypes (MLGs), indicating the importance of sexual reproduction. Two sites shared MLGs, which may be due to the dispersal and recruitment of vegetative propagules. Genetic differentiation was observed between most sites. With the exception of two outlying sites, two genetic population clusters were identified across the studied populations. Regionally, the populations have high clonal diversity, are strongly differentiated and generally exist in isolation from one another. However, non-significant within-estuary differentiation was observed for three estuaries, indicating a degree of connectivity. The results of this research improve our understanding of the connectivity of Z. muelleri populations in the region, an important process for managing this ecosystem engineer.
AB - Contemporary oceanic conditions and local dispersal of propagules influence the genetic diversity and connectivity among seagrass populations. The degree of connectivity between populations of Zostera muelleri in south-eastern Australia is unknown. In this study we examined genetic connectivity among 25 sites containing Z. muelleri using nine polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci. We hypothesised minimal sharing of genetic material between distant populations and a degree of connectivity between local populations. Genotypic diversity was high, with 64% of populations having unique multilocus genotypes (MLGs), indicating the importance of sexual reproduction. Two sites shared MLGs, which may be due to the dispersal and recruitment of vegetative propagules. Genetic differentiation was observed between most sites. With the exception of two outlying sites, two genetic population clusters were identified across the studied populations. Regionally, the populations have high clonal diversity, are strongly differentiated and generally exist in isolation from one another. However, non-significant within-estuary differentiation was observed for three estuaries, indicating a degree of connectivity. The results of this research improve our understanding of the connectivity of Z. muelleri populations in the region, an important process for managing this ecosystem engineer.
KW - clonal diversity
KW - microsatellite
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063497720&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1071/MF18333
DO - 10.1071/MF18333
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85063497720
VL - 70
SP - 1056
EP - 1064
JO - Marine and Freshwater Research
JF - Marine and Freshwater Research
SN - 1323-1650
IS - 8
ER -