Strong genetic structure in a widespread estuarine crab: A test of potential versus realized dispersal.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Genetic structure has proven difficult to predict for marine and estuarine species with multi-day pelagic larval durations, since many disperse far less than expected based on passive transport models. In such cases, the gap between potential and realized dispersal may result from larval behaviours that evolved to facilitate retention and settlement in favourable environments. Behaviour is predicted to play a particularly key role in structuring truly estuarine species, which often moderate their behaviour to remain within their natal estuaries. In such systems, this restricted dispersal may lead to high divergence, local adaptation and eventual speciation across their range. Here, we test whether a geographically widespread estuarine crab, known to have behaviour promoting lar

SUBMITTER: Tepolt CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10807247 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature