Some rare Indo-Pacific coral species are probable hybrids.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coral reefs worldwide face a variety of threats and many coral species are increasingly endangered. It is often assumed that rare coral species face higher risks of extinction because they have very small effective population sizes, a predicted consequence of which is decreased genetic diversity and adaptive potential.

Methodology/principal findings

Here we show that some Indo-Pacific members of the coral genus Acropora have very small global population sizes and are likely to be unidirectional hybrids. Whether this reflects hybrid origins or secondary hybridization following speciation is unclear.

Conclusions/significance

The interspecific gene flow demonstrated here implies increased genetic diversity and adaptive potential in these coral species. Rare Ac

SUBMITTER: Richards ZT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2531234 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature