On the occurrence of intracolonial genotypic variability in highly clonal populations of the hydrocoral Millepora platyphylla at Moorea (French Polynesia).

ABSTRACT: Intracolonial genotypic variability is described in many colonial organisms and arises from mosaicism (somatic mutation) and/or chimerism (allogenic fusion). Both processes provide an additional source of genotypic variation in natural populations and raise questions on the biological significance of colonies having more than one genotype. Using fifteen microsatellite markers, we screened for potential genetic heterogeneity within Millepora platyphylla colonies, a hydrocoral species known for its extensive morphological plasticity among reef habitats. We aimed to determine whether mosaicism and chimerism were related to specific reef habitats and/or colony morphologies. Our results show that intracolonial genotypic variability was common (31.4%) in M. platyphylla at Moorea, French Polynesi

SUBMITTER: Dube CE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5665921 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature