Population genetic differentiation of the ubiquitous brooding coral Pocillopora acuta along Phuket Island reefs in the Andaman Sea, Thailand

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: Aug. 26, 2023

Abstract Background The widespread Indo-Pacific coral species Pocillopora acuta Lamarck, 1816 displays varying levels of asexual versus sexual reproduction, with strong repercussions on genetic diversity, connectivity and structuring within among populations. For many geographic regions, baseline information diversity is still lacking, particularly in the Andaman Sea. region suffered a massive heat-induced bleaching event 2010 high cover loss branching such as P. . A subsequent 2016, however, revealed mild response pocilloporids compared to other taxa region, suggesting that rare, heat tolerant genotypes had been selected by event. In order test whether this potential ‘evolutionary rescue’ has led low we conducted population survey covering total nine different populations (336 individuals) along 50 km coastal stretch around Phuket Island, Thailand. We used six microsatellite markers assess genotypic determine prevalent mode reproduction (i.e. or recruitment). Results contrast Indian Ocean populations, majority corals study adopted (75% across all populations). At same time, substantial regional gene flow was observed Island differentiation indicated three clusters were separated only few kilometers. Patterns isolation distance over 0.7 – 40 suggest small-scale barriers, changing currents throughout each monsoonal season, potentially contributing locally restricted dispersal larvae. Conclusions occurrence distinct short stretches suggests not extreme impoverishment. While more in-depth genomic analyses are necessary investigate changes following events, our results will help guide conservation efforts maintain likely be dominant future, warmer Sea reefs.

Language: Английский

Dominance of the coral Pocillopora acuta around Phuket Island in the Andaman Sea, Thailand

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(11)

Published: Nov. 1, 2023

Abstract Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus, 1758), a species complex, consists of several genetic lineages, some which likely represent reproductively isolated species, including the acuta Lamarck, 1816. can exhibit similar morphological characteristics as P. , thus making it difficult to identify species‐level taxonomic units. To determine whether ‐like colonies on reefs in Andaman Sea (previously often identified ) consist different we sampled individual at five sites along 50 km coastal stretch Phuket Island and four island towards Krabi Province, Thailand. We sequenced 210 coral samples for mitochondrial open reading frame six distinct haplotypes, all belonging according literature. Recently, was observed efficiently recolonize heat‐damaged Thailand well globally, potentially important future reefs. Specifically light global change, this study underscores importance high‐resolution molecular recognition, since units are factors population studies, latter crucial management conservation efforts.

Language: Английский