Evidence of a genomic basis for growth rate variation in a natural kelp population.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the genetic architecture of functional traits can provide key insights into the ecological dynamics and adaptive potential of species. We investigated whether genetic data can predict growth rate variation in a natural population of the widespread kelp, Ecklonia radiata. We tagged kelps and tracked their growth in situ over spring when growth is maximal. Individual kelps were then genotyped using reduced representation sequencing (ddRAD) and we employed multiple approaches to assess whether genetic variation corresponded with growth rate variation. Despite a limited sample size, we found evidence that growth rate can be strongly predicted from genetic variation, with approximately half of the variation in growth rate predicted by only 18 loci (R² = 0.499). Leveragi

SUBMITTER: Starko S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12913910 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature