Population genetics of a trochid gastropod broadens picture of Caribbean Sea connectivity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Regional genetic connectivity models are critical for successful conservation and management of marine species. Even though rocky shore invertebrates have been used as model systems to understand genetic structure in some marine environments, our understanding of connectivity in Caribbean communities is based overwhelmingly on studies of tropical fishes and corals. In this study, we investigate population connectivity and diversity of Cittarium pica, an abundant rocky shore trochid gastropod that is commercially harvested across its natural range, from the Bahamas to Venezuela.

Methodology/principal findings

We tested for genetic structure using DNA sequence variation at the mitochondrial COI and 16S loci, AMOVA and distance-based methods. We found substantial dif

SUBMITTER: Diaz-Ferguson E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2937038 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature