Population structure and connectivity of the mountainous star coral, Orbicella faveolata, throughout the wider Caribbean region.

ABSTRACT: As coral reefs continue to decline worldwide, it becomes ever more necessary to understand the connectivity between coral populations to develop efficient management strategies facilitating survival and adaptation of coral reefs in the future. Orbicella faveolata is one of the most important reef-building corals in the Caribbean and has recently experienced severe population reductions. Here, we utilize a panel of nine microsatellite loci to evaluate the genetic structure of O. faveolata and to infer connectivity across ten sites spanning the wider Caribbean region. Populations are generally well-mixed throughout the basin (F_ST = 0.038), although notable patterns of substructure arise at local and regional scales. Eastern and western populations appear segre

SUBMITTER: Rippe JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5696396 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature