Contemporary and historical oceanographic processes explain genetic connectivity in a Southwestern Atlantic coral.

ABSTRACT: Understanding connectivity patterns has implications for evolutionary and ecological processes, as well as for proper conservation strategies. This study examined population genetic structure and migration patterns of the coral Mussismilia hispida, one of the main reef builders in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. For this, 15 sites were sampled along its entire distributional range employing 10 microsatellite loci. M. hispida was divided into five genetically differentiated populations by Structure analysis. Population structure and migration estimates are consistent with present-day oceanographic current patterns, zones of upwelling and historical sea-level changes. The Central Region and Oceanic Islands populations had the highest genetic diversity, were possibly the main sources of migr

SUBMITTER: Peluso L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5805724 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature