Low genetic diversity and recent demographic expansion in the red starfish Echinaster sepositus (Retzius 1816).

ABSTRACT: Understanding the phylogeography and genetic structure of populations and the processes responsible of patterns therein is crucial for evaluating the vulnerability of marine species and developing management strategies. In this study, we explore how past climatic events and ongoing oceanographic and demographic processes have shaped the genetic structure and diversity of the Atlanto-Mediterranean red starfish Echinaster sepositus. The species is relatively abundant in some areas of the Mediterranean Sea, but some populations have dramatically decreased over recent years due to direct extraction for ornamental aquariums and souvenir industries. Analyses across most of the distribution range of the species based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene and eight microsatellit

SUBMITTER: Garcia-Cisneros A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5024105 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature