Chasing genetic structure in coralligenous reef invertebrates: patterns, criticalities and conservation issues.

ABSTRACT: Conservation of coastal habitats is a global issue, yet biogenic reefs in temperate regions have received very little attention. They have a broad geographic distribution and are a key habitat in marine ecosystems impacted by human activities. In the Mediterranean Sea coralligenous reefs are biodiversity hot spots and are classified as sensitive habitats deserving conservation. Genetic diversity and structure influence demographic, ecological and evolutionary processes in populations and play a crucial role in conservation strategies. Nevertheless, a comprehensive view of population genetic structure of coralligenous species is lacking. Here, we reviewed the literature on the genetic structure of sessile and sedentary invertebrates of the Mediterranean coralligenous reefs. Linear regressio

SUBMITTER: Costantini F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5895814 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature