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Sturm AB, Eckert RJ, Carreiro AM, Klein AM, Studivan MS, Dodge Farelli D, Simões N, González‐Díaz P, González Méndez J, Voss JD. Does depth divide? Variable genetic connectivity patterns among shallow and mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa coral populations across the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10622. [PMID: 38020681 PMCID: PMC10631546 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite general declines in coral reef ecosystems in the tropical western Atlantic, some reefs, including mesophotic reefs (30-150 m), are hypothesized to function as coral refugia due to their relative isolation from anthropogenic stressors. Understanding the connectivity dynamics among these putative refugia and more degraded reefs is critical to develop effective management strategies that promote coral metapopulation persistence and recovery. This study presents a geographically broad assessment of shallow (<30 m) and mesophotic (>30 m) connectivity dynamics of the depth-generalist coral species Montastraea cavernosa. Over 750 coral genets were collected across the Northwest and Southern Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Cuba, and Belize, and ~5000 SNP loci were generated to quantify high-resolution genetic structure and connectivity among these populations. Generally, shallow and mesophotic populations demonstrated higher connectivity to distant populations within the same depth zone than to adjacent populations across depth zones. However, exceptions to this pattern include the Northwest Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys which exhibited relatively high vertical genetic connectivity. Furthermore, estimates of recent gene flow emphasize that mesophotic M. cavernosa populations are not significant sources for their local shallow counterparts, except for the Northwest Gulf of Mexico populations. Location-based differences in vertical connectivity are likely a result of diverse oceanographic and environmental conditions that may drive variation in gene flow and depth-dependent selection. These results highlight the need to evaluate connectivity dynamics and refugia potential of mesophotic coral species on a population-by-population basis and to identify stepping-stone populations that warrant incorporation in future international management approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis B. Sturm
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Ryan J. Eckert
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Ashley M. Carreiro
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Allison M. Klein
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
| | - Michael S. Studivan
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
- Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS)University of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
- Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories (AOML)MiamiFloridaUSA
| | | | - Nuno Simões
- Unidad Multidisciplinaria de Docencia e Investigación–Sisal, Facultad de CienciasUniversidad Nacional Autonoma de MéxicoSisalYucatánMexico
- International Chair for Coastal and Marine Studies, Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico StudiesTexas A&M University‐Corpus ChristiCorpus ChristiTexasUSA
- Laboratorio Nacional de Resiliencia Costera (LANRESC), Laboratorios NacionalesCONACYTSisalMexico
| | | | | | - Joshua D. Voss
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic InstituteFlorida Atlantic UniversityFort PierceFloridaUSA
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Stock BC, Mullen AD, Jaffe JS, Candelmo A, Heppell SA, Pattengill-Semmens CV, McCoy CM, Johnson BC, Semmens BX. Protected fish spawning aggregations as self-replenishing reservoirs for regional recovery. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230551. [PMID: 37161330 PMCID: PMC10170206 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Dispersal of eggs and larvae from spawning sites is critical to the population dynamics and conservation of marine fishes. For overfished species like critically endangered Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), recovery depends on the fate of eggs spawned at the few remaining aggregation sites. Biophysical models can predict larval dispersal, yet these rely on assumed values of key parameters, such as diffusion and mortality rates, which have historically been difficult or impossible to estimate. We used in situ imaging to record three-dimensional positions of individual eggs and larvae in proximity to oceanographic drifters released into egg plumes from the largest known Nassau grouper spawning aggregation. We then estimated a diffusion-mortality model and applied it to previous years' drifter tracks to evaluate the possibility of retention versus export to nearby sites within 5 days of spawning. Results indicate that larvae were retained locally in 2011 and 2017, with 2011 recruitment being a substantial driver of population recovery on Little Cayman. Export to a nearby island with a depleted population occurred in 2016. After two decades of protection, the population appears to be self-replenishing but also capable of seeding recruitment in the region, supporting calls to incorporate spawning aggregation protections into fisheries management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Stock
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, 4817 His, Norway
| | - Andrew D Mullen
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jules S Jaffe
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Allison Candelmo
- Reef Environmental Education Foundation, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute, N Coast Road E Box 37, Little Cayman KY3-2501, Cayman Islands
| | - Scott A Heppell
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | | | - Croy M McCoy
- Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, Cayman Islands
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Bradley C Johnson
- Department of Environment, Cayman Islands Government, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, Cayman Islands
| | - Brice X Semmens
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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3
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Coral Gardens Reef, Belize: An Acropora spp. refugium under threat in a warming world. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280852. [PMID: 36753468 PMCID: PMC9907857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Live coral cover has declined precipitously on Caribbean reefs in recent decades. Acropora cervicornis coral has been particularly decimated, and few Western Atlantic Acropora spp. refugia remain. Coral Gardens, Belize, was identified in 2020 as a long-term refugium for this species. This study assesses changes in live A. cervicornis coral abundance over time at Coral Gardens to monitor the stability of A. cervicornis corals, and to explore potential threats to this important refugium. Live coral cover was documented annually from 2012-2019 along five permanent transects. In situ sea-surface temperature data were collected at Coral Gardens throughout the study period and compared with calibrated satellite data to calculate Maximum Monthly Mean (MMM) temperatures and Degree Heating Weeks (DHW). Data on bathymetry, sediment, substrate, herbivore abundance, and macroalgal abundance were collected in 2014 and 2019 to assess potential threats to Coral Gardens. Live coral cover declined at all five transect sites over the study period. The greatest loss of live coral occurred between 2016 and 2017, coincident with the earliest and highest maximum average temperatures recorded at the study site, and the passage of a hurricane in 2016. Structural storm damage was not observed at Coral Gardens, though live coral cover declined after the passage of the storm. Uranium-thorium (230Th) dating of 26 dead in situ fragments of A. cervicornis collected in 2015 from Coral Gardens revealed no correlation between coral mortality and tropical storms and hurricanes in the recent past. Our data suggest that several other common drivers for coral decline (i.e. herbivory, predation, sedimentation, pH) may likely be ruled out for Coral Gardens. At the end of the study period, Coral Gardens satisfied most criteria for refugium status. However, the early onset, higher mean, and longer duration of above-average temperatures, as well as intermittent temperature anomalies likely played a critical role in the stability of this refugium. We suggest that temperature stress in 2016 and perhaps 2015 may have increased coral tissue vulnerability at Coral Gardens to a passing hurricane, threatening the status of this unique refugium.
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Adams A, Danylchuk AJ, Cooke SJ. Conservation connections: incorporating connectivity into management and conservation of flats fishes and their habitats in a multi-stressor world. ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES 2023; 106:117-130. [PMID: 36686288 PMCID: PMC9847458 DOI: 10.1007/s10641-023-01391-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Coastal marine fisheries and the habitats that support them are under extensive and increasing pressures from numerous anthropogenic stressors that occur at multiple spatial and temporal scales and often intersect in unexpected ways. Frequently, the scales at which these fisheries are managed do not match the scales of the stressors, much less the geographic scale of species biology. In general, fishery management is ill prepared to address these stressors, as underscored by the continuing lack of integration of fisheries and habitat management. However, research of these fisheries is increasingly being conducted at spatial and temporal scales that incorporate biology and ecological connectivity of target species, with growing attention to the foundational role of habitat. These efforts are also increasingly engaging stakeholders and rights holders in research, education, and conservation. This multi-method approach is essential for addressing pressing conservation challenges that are common to flats ecosystems. Flats fisheries occur in the shallow, coastal habitat mosaic that supports fish species that are accessible to and desirable to target by recreational fishers. Because these species rely upon coastal habitats, the anthropogenic stressors can be especially intense-habitat alteration (loss and degradation) and water quality declines are being exacerbated by climate change and increasing direct human impacts (e.g., fishing effort, boat traffic, depredation, pollution). The connections necessary for effective flats conservation are of many modes and include ontogenetic habitat connectivity; connections between stressors and impacts to fishes; connections between research and management, such as research informing spawning area protections; and engagement of stakeholders and rights holders in research, education, and management. The articles included in this Special Issue build upon a growing literature that is filling knowledge gaps for flats fishes and their habitats and increasingly providing the evidence to inform resource management. Indeed, numerous articles in this issue propose or summarize direct application of research findings to management with a focus on current and future conservation challenges. As with many other fisheries, a revised approach to management and conservation is needed in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Adams
- Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, 2937 SW 27Th Avenue, Suite 203, Miami, FL 33133 USA
- Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, FL 34946 USA
| | - Andy J. Danylchuk
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 160 Holdsworth Way, Amherst, MA 01003 USA
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6 Canada
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Establishing connectivity patterns of eastern oysters (
Crassostrea virginica
) on regional oceanographic scales. Ecosphere 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Novi L, Bracco A. Machine learning prediction of connectivity, biodiversity and resilience in the Coral Triangle. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1359. [PMID: 36496519 PMCID: PMC9741626 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04330-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Even optimistic climate scenarios predict catastrophic consequences for coral reef ecosystems by 2100. Understanding how reef connectivity, biodiversity and resilience are shaped by climate variability would improve chances to establish sustainable management practices. In this regard, ecoregionalization and connectivity are pivotal to designating effective marine protected areas. Here, machine learning algorithms and physical intuition are applied to sea surface temperature anomaly data over a twenty-four-year period to extract ecoregions and assess connectivity and bleaching recovery potential in the Coral Triangle and surrounding oceans. Furthermore, the impacts of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on biodiversity and resilience are quantified. We find that resilience is higher for reefs north of the Equator and that the extraordinary biodiversity of the Coral Triangle is dynamic in time and space, and benefits from ENSO. The large-scale exchange of genetic material is enhanced between the Indian Ocean and the Coral Triangle during La Niña years, and between the Coral Triangle and the central Pacific in neutral conditions. Through machine learning the outstanding biodiversity of the Coral Triangle, its evolution and the increase of species richness are contextualized through geological times, while offering new hope for monitoring its future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyuba Novi
- grid.213917.f0000 0001 2097 4943School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Program in Ocean Science & Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA
| | - Annalisa Bracco
- grid.213917.f0000 0001 2097 4943School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Program in Ocean Science & Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332 USA
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Schlatter E, Klawon C, Webb C, Buston P. Heritability of dispersal‐related larval traits in the clown anemonefish
Amphiprion percula. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9541. [PMCID: PMC9702578 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Colleen Webb
- Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
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Gairin E, Dussenne M, Mercader M, Berthe C, Reynaud M, Metian M, Mills SC, Lenfant P, Besseau L, Bertucci F, Lecchini D. Harbours as unique environmental sites of multiple anthropogenic stressors on fish hormonal systems. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 555:111727. [PMID: 35863654 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Fish development and acclimation to environmental conditions are strongly mediated by the hormonal endocrine system. In environments contaminated by anthropogenic stressors, hormonal pathway alterations can be detrimental for growth, survival, fitness, and at a larger scale for population maintenance. In the context of increasingly contaminated marine environments worldwide, numerous laboratory studies have confirmed the effect of one or a combination of pollutants on fish hormonal systems. However, this has not been confirmed in situ. In this review, we explore the body of knowledge related to the influence of anthropogenic stressors disrupting fish endocrine systems, recent advances (focusing on thyroid hormones and stress hormones such as cortisol), and potential research perspectives. Through this review, we highlight how harbours can be used as "in situ laboratories" given the variety of anthropogenic stressors (such as plastic, chemical, sound, light pollution, and invasive species) that can be simultaneously investigated in harbours over long periods of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Gairin
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-Son, Kunigami District, 904-0495, Okinawa, Japan.
| | - Mélanie Dussenne
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM), F-66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Manon Mercader
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-Son, Kunigami District, 904-0495, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Cécile Berthe
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", France; PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR3278 CRIOBE, 98729, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Mathieu Reynaud
- Marine Eco-Evo-Devo Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-Son, Kunigami District, 904-0495, Okinawa, Japan; PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR3278 CRIOBE, 98729, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Marc Metian
- International Atomic Energy Agency - Environment Laboratories, 4a Quai Antoine 1er, MC, 98000, Principality of Monaco, Monaco
| | - Suzanne C Mills
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", France; PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR3278 CRIOBE, 98729, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Philippe Lenfant
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, F-66860, Perpignan, France
| | - Laurence Besseau
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR Biologie Intégrative des Organismes Marins (BIOM), F-66650, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Frédéric Bertucci
- Functional and Evolutionary Morphology Lab, University of Liège, 4000, Liege, Belgium
| | - David Lecchini
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL", France; PSL Université Paris, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, UAR3278 CRIOBE, 98729, Moorea, French Polynesia
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9
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Leiva C, Riesgo A, Combosch D, Arias MB, Giribet G, Downey R, Kenny NJ, Taboada S. Guiding marine protected area network design with comparative phylogeography and population genomics: An exemplary case from the Southern Ocean. DIVERS DISTRIB 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Leiva
- Marine Laboratory University of Guam Mangilao Guam USA
- Life Sciences Department The Natural History Museum London UK
| | - Ana Riesgo
- Life Sciences Department The Natural History Museum London UK
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC) Madrid Spain
| | - David Combosch
- Marine Laboratory University of Guam Mangilao Guam USA
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Harvard University Cambridge Massachusetts USA
| | - María Belén Arias
- Life Sciences Department The Natural History Museum London UK
- School of Life Sciences University of Essex Colchester Campus UK
| | - Gonzalo Giribet
- Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Harvard University Cambridge Massachusetts USA
| | - Rachel Downey
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Nathan James Kenny
- Life Sciences Department The Natural History Museum London UK
- Department of Biochemistry University of Otago Dunedin New Zealand
| | - Sergi Taboada
- Life Sciences Department The Natural History Museum London UK
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución Universidad Complutense de Madrid Madrid Spain
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Apdo. 20 Universidad de Alcalá Alcalá de Henares Spain
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10
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Gonzalez C, Postaire B, Domingues RR, Feldheim KA, Caballero S, Chapman D. Phylogeography and population genetics of the cryptic bonnethead shark Sphyrna aff. tiburo in Brazil and the Caribbean inferred from mtDNA markers. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:1899-1911. [PMID: 34476811 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Resolving the identity, phylogeny and distribution of cryptic species within species complexes is an essential precursor to management. The bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, is a small coastal shark distributed in the Western Atlantic from North Carolina (U.S.A.) to southern Brazil. Genetic analyses based on mitochondrial markers revealed that bonnethead sharks comprise a species complex with at least two lineages in the Northwestern Atlantic and the Caribbean (S. tiburo and Sphyrna aff. tiburo, respectively). The phylogeographic and phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial markers [control region (mtCR) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI)] showed that bonnethead sharks from southeastern Brazil correspond to S. aff. tiburo, extending the distribution of this cryptic species >5000 km. Bonnethead shark populations are only managed in the U.S.A. and in the 2000s were considered to be regionally extinct or collapsed in southeast Brazil. The results indicate that there is significant genetic differentiation between S. aff. tiburo from Brazil and other populations from the Caribbean (ΦST = 0.9053, P < 0.000), which means that collapsed populations in the former are unlikely to be replenished from Caribbean immigration. The species identity of bonnethead sharks in the Southwest Atlantic and their relationship to North Atlantic and Caribbean populations still remains unresolved. Taxonomic revision and further sampling are required to reevaluate the status of the bonnethead shark complex through its distribution range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Gonzalez
- Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab, Biological Sciences Department, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33181, USA
| | - Bautisse Postaire
- Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab, Biological Sciences Department, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33181, USA
| | - Rodrigo R Domingues
- Departamento de Ciências do Mar, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Instituto do Mar, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Kevin A Feldheim
- Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Susana Caballero
- Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular de Vertebrados Acuáticos, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Demian Chapman
- Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab, Biological Sciences Department, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, 33181, USA
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11
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An integrative investigation of sensory organ development and orientation behavior throughout the larval phase of a coral reef fish. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12377. [PMID: 34117298 PMCID: PMC8196062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91640-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The dispersal of marine larvae determines the level of connectivity among populations, influences population dynamics, and affects evolutionary processes. Patterns of dispersal are influenced by both ocean currents and larval behavior, yet the role of behavior remains poorly understood. Here we report the first integrated study of the ontogeny of multiple sensory systems and orientation behavior throughout the larval phase of a coral reef fish-the neon goby, Elacatinus lori. We document the developmental morphology of all major sensory organs (lateral line, visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory) together with the development of larval swimming and orientation behaviors observed in a circular arena set adrift at sea. We show that all sensory organs are present at hatch and increase in size (or number) and complexity throughout the larval phase. Further, we demonstrate that most larvae can orient as early as 2 days post-hatch, and they swim faster and straighter as they develop. We conclude that sensory organs and swimming abilities are sufficiently developed to allow E. lori larvae to orient soon after hatch, suggesting that early orientation behavior may be common among coral reef fishes. Finally, we provide a framework for testing alternative hypotheses for the orientation strategies used by fish larvae, laying a foundation for a deeper understanding of the role of behavior in shaping dispersal patterns in the sea.
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12
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Taboun ZS, Walter RP, Ovenden JR, Heath DD. Spatial and temporal genetic variation in an exploited reef fish: The effects of exploitation on cohort genetic structure. Evol Appl 2021; 14:1286-1300. [PMID: 34025768 PMCID: PMC8127707 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Many coral reef fishes are fished, often resulting in detrimental genetic effects; however, reef fishes often show unpredictable patterns of genetic variation, which potentially mask the effects of fishing. Our goals were to characterize spatial and temporal genetic variation and determine the effects of fishing on an exploited reef fish, Plectropomus leopardus, Lacepède (the common coral trout). To determine population structure, we genotyped 417 Great Barrier Reef coral trout from four populations sampled in 2 years (1996 and 2004) at nine microsatellite loci. To test for exploitation effects, we additionally genotyped 869 individuals from a single cohort (ages 3-5) across eight different reefs, including fished and control populations. Genetic structure differed substantially in the two sampled years, with only 1 year exhibiting isolation by distance. Thus, genetic drift likely plays a role in shaping population genetic structure in this species. Although we found no loss of genetic diversity associated with exploitation, our relatedness patterns show that pulse fishing likely affects population genetics. Additionally, genetic structure in the cohort samples likely reflected spatial variation in recruitment contributing to genetic structure at the population level. Overall, we show that fishing does impact coral reef fishes, highlighting the importance of repeated widespread sampling to accurately characterize the genetic structure of reef fishes, as well as the power of analysing cohorts to avoid the impacts of recruitment-related genetic swamping. The high temporal and spatial variability in genetic structure, combined with possible selection effects, will make conservation/management of reef fish species complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra S. Taboun
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER)University of WindsorWindsorOntarioCanada
| | - Ryan P. Walter
- Department of Biological ScienceCalifornia State University, FullertonFullertonCAUSA
| | - Jennifer R. Ovenden
- Molecular Fisheries LaboratorySchool of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Daniel D. Heath
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research (GLIER)University of WindsorWindsorOntarioCanada
- Department of Integrative BiologyUniversity of WindsorWindsorOntarioCanada
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Genetic composition of queen conch (Lobatus gigas) population on Pedro Bank, Jamaica and its use in fisheries management. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245703. [PMID: 33819265 PMCID: PMC8021194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The queen conch fishery in Jamaica is sustained by Pedro Bank, which is the main harvesting site located approximately 80 km south-west from Kingston. Due to its relative size, Pedro Bank has been subdivided into zones for management purposes by the Fisheries Division and the Veterinary Services Division. Understanding whether these sub-divisions reflect different sub-populations is critical for managing exploitation levels because fisheries management must demonstrate that harvesting does not endanger the future viability of the population as queen conch are on Appendix II of the Convention in Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This determination is essential for the continued export to international markets such as the European Union. Two hundred and eight samples were collected across the entire Pedro Bank and were genetically characterized using nine polymorphic microsatellite loci. Population structure analysis for Lobatus gigas from Pedro Bank yielded low but significant values (FST = 0.009: p = 0.006) and suggested a high magnitude of gene flow indicative of a fit and viable population throughout the bank. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated a 100% variation within individual samples with little variation (0.9%) between populations. In contrast pairwise genetic comparisons identified significant differences between populations located to the south eastern and eastern region of the bank to those in the central and western locations. Bayesian clustering analysis also indicated the likelihood of two population sub-divisions (K = 2) on Pedro Bank. The results provided evidence of a weak but significant population structure which has crucial implications for the fishing industry as it suggests the use of ecosystem based management (EBM) in setting quotas to promote sustainable harvesting of L. gigas within each monitoring zone on Pedro Bank.
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Mayekiso S, Gouws G, Mwale M, Gon O. Evidence of genetic differentiation in cigar wrasse Cheilio inermis (Labridae) within the western Indian Ocean. Genome 2020; 63:493-502. [PMID: 32650676 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2019-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Patterns of genetic structure and connectivity of the monotypic cigar wrasse Cheilio inermis within western Indian Ocean (WIO) are poorly understood. Whether the species exists as a single panmictic population across the WIO is unclear. Sequence data were generated from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and ATPase 6) and one nuclear intron (S7 intron I). High levels of haplotype and allelic diversity (h = 0.88-0.98; A = 0.95-0.98), along with low nucleotide diversities were observed across all markers. The pairwise ΦST values indicated differentiation of Tanga from the four WIO localities (Inhaca, Nosy Bé, Gazi, and Shimoni), as well as differentiation between the northernmost WIO localities. AMOVAs indicated high differentiation among defined locality groups, whereas nuclear gene analysis found little differentiation among groups. The observed genetic differentiation in C. inermis could be caused by oceanic barriers, and by limited larval dispersal with the pelagic larvae possibly settling near their parental origin and promoting differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisanda Mayekiso
- South African National Parks, Cape Research Centre, P.O. Box 216, Steenberg, South Africa.,Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Gavin Gouws
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.,National Research Foundation - South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
| | - Monica Mwale
- South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), National Zoological Gardens, P.O. Box 754, Pretoria 001, South Africa
| | - Ofer Gon
- National Research Foundation - South African Institute of Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa
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15
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Lam VYY, Doropoulos C, Bozec YM, Mumby PJ. Resilience Concepts and Their Application to Coral Reefs. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Wang Y, Raitsos DE, Krokos G, Gittings JA, Zhan P, Hoteit I. Physical connectivity simulations reveal dynamic linkages between coral reefs in the southern Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16598. [PMID: 31719628 PMCID: PMC6851178 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53126-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The southern Red Sea is genetically distinct from the rest of the basin; yet the reasons responsible for this genetic separation remain unclear. Connectivity is a vital process for the exchange of individuals and genes among geographically separated populations, and is necessary for maintaining biodiversity and resilience in coral reef ecosystems. Here, using long-term, high-resolution, 3-D backward particle tracking simulations, we investigate the physical connectivity of coral reefs in the southern Red Sea with neighbouring regions. Overall, the simulation results reveal that the southern Red Sea coral reefs are more physically connected with regions in the Indian Ocean (e.g., the Gulf of Aden) than with the northern part of the basin. The identified connectivity exhibits a distinct monsoon-related seasonality. Though beyond the country boundaries, relatively remote regions of the Indian Ocean may have a substantial impact on the southern Red Sea coral reef regions, and this should be taken into consideration when establishing conservation strategies for these vulnerable biodiversity hot-spots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Wang
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Dionysios E Raitsos
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Department of Biology, Athens, Greece.,Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Remote Sensing Group, The Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - George Krokos
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - John A Gittings
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Peng Zhan
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim Hoteit
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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17
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Ware J, Callaway R. Public perception of coastal habitat loss and habitat creation using artificial floating islands in the UK. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224424. [PMID: 31671127 PMCID: PMC6822727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Eco-engineering and the installation of green infrastructure such as artificial floating islands (AFIs), are novel techniques used to support biodiversity. The European Convention on Biological Diversity highlighted the development of green infrastructure as a key method of enhancement in degraded habitats. Research specifically on AFIs in marine environments has largely focused on their ecological functioning role and engineering outcomes, with little consideration for the social benefits or concerns. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of public perception of coastal habitat loss in the UK and AFIs as a method of habitat creation in coastal environments. This was achieved via a survey, consisting of six closed and two open questions. Of the 200 respondents, 94.5% were concerned about the loss of coastal habitats in the UK, but less than a third were aware of habitat restoration or creation projects in their area of residence. There was a positive correlation between proximity of residency to the coast and knowledge of habitat restoration or creation projects. The majority of the respondents understood the ecological functioning role of AFIs and 62% would preferably want successful plant growth and avian species utilising the AFI. Nearly a third of the respondents had concerns about AFI installations, such as the degradation of the plastic matrix, long term maintenance and disturbance of native species. Despite 90.9% of the respondents supporting the installation of AFIs, the concerns of the public must be addressed during the planning stages of any habitat creation project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Ware
- Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Callaway
- Biosciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
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18
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Hu Y, Majoris JE, Buston PM, Webb JF. Potential roles of smell and taste in the orientation behaviour of coral-reef fish larvae: insights from morphology. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 95:311-323. [PMID: 30198213 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
An ontogenetic analysis of the olfactory organ and the number and distribution of internal taste buds was carried out in two neon gobies (Elacatinus lori and Elacatinus colini) with the goal of revealing morphological trends that might inform an understanding of the roles of olfaction and taste in larval orientation behaviour. The pattern of development of the olfactory organ is unremarkable and enclosure of the olfactory epithelium occurs concurrently with metamorphosis and settlement in both species. Like other gobies, juvenile and adult E. lori and E. colini lack complex olfactory lamellae, and lack the accessory nasal sacs present in some adult gobies that could facilitate active olfactory ventilation (i.e., sniffing). A small number of internal taste buds are present at hatch with most found in the caudal region of the buccal cavity (on gill arches, roof of buccal cavity). As taste bud number increases, they demonstrate an anterior spread to the lips, buccal valves and tongue (i.e., tissue covering the basihyal). In the absence of an active ventilatory mechanism for the olfactory organs, the water that moves through the buccal cavity with cyclic gill ventilation may provide chemical cues allowing the internal taste buds to play a role in chemical-mediated orientation and reef-seeking behavior in pelagic larval fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Hu
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
- Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
| | - John E Majoris
- Department of Biology and Marine Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter M Buston
- Department of Biology and Marine Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jacqueline F Webb
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island
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19
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Mississippi River and Campeche Bank (Gulf of Mexico) Episodes of Cross-Shelf Export of Coastal Waters Observed with Satellites. REMOTE SENSING 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/rs11060723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The cross-shelf advection of coastal waters into the deep Gulf of Mexico is important for the transport of nutrients or potential pollutants. Twenty years of ocean color satellite imagery document such cross-shelf transport events via three export pathways in the Gulf of Mexico: from the Campeche Bank toward the central Gulf, from the Campeche Bank toward the Florida Straits, and from the Mississippi Delta to the Florida Straits. A catalog of these events was created based on the visual examination of 7280 daily satellite images. Water transport from the Campeche Bank to the central Gulf occurred frequently and with no seasonal pattern. Transport from Campeche Bank to the Florida Straits occurred episodically, when the Loop Current was retracted. Four such episodes were identified, between about December and June, in 2002, 2009, 2016, and 2017, each lasting ~3 months. Movement of Mississippi River water to the Florida Straits was more frequent and showed near seasonal occurrence, when the Loop Current was extended, while the Mississippi River discharge seems to play only a secondary role. Eight such episodes were identified—in 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2014, and 2015—each lasting ~3 months during summer. The 2015 episode lasted 5 months.
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20
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Shaw AK, D’Aloia CC, Buston PM. The Evolution of Marine Larval Dispersal Kernels in Spatially Structured Habitats: Analytical Models, Individual-Based Simulations, and Comparisons with Empirical Estimates. Am Nat 2019; 193:424-435. [DOI: 10.1086/701667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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21
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Long-Distance Benefits of Marine Reserves: Myth or Reality? Trends Ecol Evol 2019; 34:342-354. [PMID: 30777295 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Long-distance (>40-km) dispersal from marine reserves is poorly documented; yet, it can provide essential benefits such as seeding fished areas or connecting marine reserves into networks. From a meta-analysis, we suggest that the spatial scale of marine connectivity is underestimated due to the limited geographic extent of sampling designs. We also found that the largest marine reserves (>1000km2) are the most isolated. These findings have important implications for the assessment of evolutionary, ecological, and socio-economic long-distance benefits of marine reserves. We conclude that existing methods to infer dispersal should consider the up-to-date genomic advances and also expand the spatial scale of sampling designs. Incorporating long-distance connectivity in conservation planning will contribute to increase the benefits of marine reserve networks.
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22
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Bryan DR, Blondeau J, Siana A, Ault JS. Regional differences in an established population of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish ( Pterois volitans and P. miles) in south Florida. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5700. [PMID: 30324014 PMCID: PMC6186158 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
About nine years ago (circa 2009), Indo-Pacific lionfishes (Pterois volitans and P. miles) invaded the south Florida coral reef ecosystem. During the intervening period of time, there has been substantial research on their biology, life history, demography, and habitat preferences; however, little is known concerning their regional population status and trends in the region. Here, we use a large-scale fisheries independent reef fish visual survey to investigate lionfish population status among three south Florida regions: Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys, and southeast Florida. Density estimates (ind ha−1) have been relatively stable since 2012, and are lower than other areas reported in the western Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Low, stable population densities in south Florida suggest there may be a natural mechanism for lionfish population control. In the Dry Tortugas, lionfish density in 2016 was significantly lower (0.6 ind ha−1 ± 0.15 SE) than the two other south Florida regions. The Dry Tortugas region has the highest percentage of marine protected areas, the lowest level of exploitation, and thus the highest densities of potential lionfish predators and competitors. In the Florida Keys and southeast Florida in 2016, lionfish densities were greater (5.4 ind ha−1 ± 1.0 SE and 9.0 ± 2.7 SE, respectively) than the Dry Tortugas. Fishing pressure on lionfish was higher in these two regions, but densities of several potential predators and competitors were substantially lower. Despite relatively low regional lionfish densities that can be attributed to some combination of fishing mortality and natural biocontrol, lionfish are still well established in the south Florida coral reef ecosystem, warranting continued concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Bryan
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America.,Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Jeremiah Blondeau
- Southeast Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Ashley Siana
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Jerald S Ault
- Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
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23
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Dispersal traits interact with dynamic connectivity to affect metapopulation growth and stability. THEOR ECOL-NETH 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12080-018-0393-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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24
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Allgeier JE, Speare KE, Burkepile DE. Estimates of fish and coral larvae as nutrient subsidies to coral reef ecosystems. Ecosphere 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.2216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E. Allgeier
- Department of Ecology, and Evolutionary Biology University of Michigan 3032 Biological Science Building, 1105 N. University Ann Arbor Michigan 48109 USA
| | - Kelly E. Speare
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology University of California, Santa Barbara MSI 4312 Santa Barbara California 93106 USA
| | - Deron E. Burkepile
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology University of California, Santa Barbara MSI 4312 Santa Barbara California 93106 USA
- Marine Science Institute University of California, Santa Barbara MSI 4312 Santa Barbara California 93106 USA
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25
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Yu HJ, Kim JK. Upwelling and eddies affect connectivity among local populations of the goldeye rockfish, Sebastes thompsoni (Pisces, Scorpaenoidei). Ecol Evol 2018; 8:4387-4402. [PMID: 29760881 PMCID: PMC5938445 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The goldeye rockfish, Sebastes thompsoni, commercial rockfish catch in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, may influence its population structure. To clarify the population genetic structure of Korean S. thompsoni and its degree of hybridization with the most close species, Sebastes joyneri, we analyzed a mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region and eleven polymorphic microsatellite (ms) loci. S. joyneri individuals were clearly distinguished from S. thompsoni by the mtDNA control region and ms loci results, with single interspecific hybridization between two species suggesting no impact on genetic structure of S. thompsoni. Analysis of mtDNA revealed no population structure within S. thompsoni, suggesting the survival of a single population in southern refugia during the glacial period. The ms loci results, in contrast, showed two genetically distinct clusters within S. thompsoni: One was predominant throughout Korean coasts (from the Yellow Sea, via the Korea Strait to the East Sea); the other was predominant at Dokdo Island in the East Sea; and both occurred in similar ratios at Wangdolcho Reef in the East Sea. A possible factor that restricts gene flow between Korean coastal and offshore populations in the East Sea may be related to the complex oceanic current patterns such as eddies and upwelling, which represent impermeable barriers to population connectivity for this species. Our findings highlight that these two populations might be representative of two separate stock within Korean waters and maintain their geographically related genetic structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo Jae Yu
- Department of Marine Biology Pukyong National University Busan Korea
| | - Jin-Koo Kim
- Department of Marine Biology Pukyong National University Busan Korea
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26
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Costantini F, Ferrario F, Abbiati M. Chasing genetic structure in coralligenous reef invertebrates: patterns, criticalities and conservation issues. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5844. [PMID: 29643422 PMCID: PMC5895814 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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 regression models and meta-analytic approaches are used to assess the contributions of genetic markers, phylum, pelagic larval duration (PLD) and geographical distance to the population genetic structure. Our quantitative approach highlight that 1) most species show a significant genetic structure, 2) structuring differs between phyla, and 3) PLD does not appear to be a major driver of the structuring. We discuss the implication of these finding for the management and conservation, suggesting research areas that deserve attention, and providing recommendations for broad assessment and monitoring of genetic diversity in biogenic reefs species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Costantini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, UOS Ravenna, Ravenna, Italy.
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, I - 48123, Ravenna, Italy.
- CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00197, Roma, Italy.
| | | | - Marco Abbiati
- Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Via S. Alberto 163, I - 48123, Ravenna, Italy
- CoNISMa, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00197, Roma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Beni Culturali, Via degli Ariani, 1, 48121, Ravenna, Italy
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine, ISMAR, Via P. Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy
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Sanvicente-Añorve L, Zavala-Hidalgo J, Allende-Arandía E, Hermoso-Salazar M. Larval dispersal in three coral reef decapod species: Influence of larval duration on the metapopulation structure. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193457. [PMID: 29558478 PMCID: PMC5860695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Most coral-associated decapod species have non-migratory adult populations and depend on their planktonic larvae for dispersal. This study examined the metapopulation structure of three decapod species with different pelagic larval duration (PLD) from twelve coral reef complexes of the Gulf of Mexico. The dispersion of larvae was analyzed through the use of a realistic numerical simulation of the Gulf of Mexico with the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model. To study the transport and dispersion of particles in near-surface waters, a particle-tracking subroutine was run using as input the currents from the model. The simulation consisted of the launch of 100 passive particles (virtual larvae) every 24 hours from each reef throughout five years, and tracked for as long as 210 days. Results indicated that species with a short PLD, Mithraculus sculptus (PLD 8‒13 days), had a weak connection among the reefs, but higher self-recruitment, especially on the narrow western shelf. The species with a longer PLD, Dromia erythropus (28‒30 days), had a stronger connection among neighboring reefs (< 300 km). Finally, the species with an even longer PLD, Stenopus hispidus (123‒210 days), had a wider potential distribution than the other species. Circulation on synoptic, seasonal and interannual scales had differential effects on the larval dispersal of each species. The metapopulation structure of M. sculptus and D. erythropus seemed to combine features of the non-equilibrium and the patchy models, whereas that of S. hispidus presumably fit to a patchy model. These findings support previous observations that indicate that species with longer PLD tend to occupy larger areas than species with short PLD, although recruitment of juveniles to the adult populations will also depend on other factors, such as the availability of suitable habitats and the ability to colonize them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sanvicente-Añorve
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jorge Zavala-Hidalgo
- Centro de Ciencias de la Atmósfera, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eugenia Allende-Arandía
- Cátedra CONACyT, Laboratorio de Ingeniería y Procesos Costeros, Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sisal, Yucatán, Mexico
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Berenshtein I, Paris CB, Gildor H, Fredj E, Amitai Y, Lapidot O, Kiflawi M. Auto-correlated directional swimming can enhance settlement success and connectivity in fish larvae. J Theor Biol 2018; 439:76-85. [PMID: 29154908 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Larvae of coastal-marine fishes have been shown repeatedly to swim directionally in the pelagic environment. Yet, biophysical models of larval dispersal typically impose a Simple Random Walk (SRW) algorithm to simulate non-directional movement in the open ocean. Here we investigate the use of a Correlated Random Walk (CRW) algorithm; imposing auto-correlated directional swimming onto simulated larvae within a high-resolution 3D biophysical model of the Gulf of Aqaba, the Red Sea. Our findings demonstrate that implementation of auto-correlated directional swimming can result in an increase of up to ×2.7 in the estimated success rate of larval-settlement, as well as an increase in the extent of connectivity. With accumulating empirical support for the capacity for directional-swimming during the pelagic phase, we propose that CRW should be applied in biophysical models of dispersal by coastal marine fish-larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igal Berenshtein
- Department of Life Sciences, Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat 88103, Israel; Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA.
| | - Claire B Paris
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA
| | - Hezi Gildor
- Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Erick Fredj
- Department of Computer Science, Jerusalem Institute of Technology, Jerusalem 91160, Israel
| | - Yael Amitai
- Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Omri Lapidot
- Department of Life Sciences, Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat 88103, Israel
| | - Moshe Kiflawi
- The Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences of Eilat 88103, Israel; Department of Life-Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, POB 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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29
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González AM, Prada CA, Ávila V, Medina M. Ecological Speciation in Corals. POPULATION GENOMICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/13836_2018_35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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30
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Jossart Q, De Ridder C, Lessios HA, Bauwens M, Motreuil S, Rigaud T, Wattier RA, David B. Highly contrasted population genetic structures in a host-parasite pair in the Caribbean Sea. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:9267-9280. [PMID: 29187967 PMCID: PMC5696394 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolution and population genetic structure of marine species across the Caribbean Sea are shaped by two complex factors: the geological history and the present pattern of marine currents. Characterizing and comparing the genetic structures of codistributed species, such as host-parasite associations, allow discriminating the relative importance of environmental factors and life history traits that influenced gene flow and demographic events. Using microsatellite and Cytochrome Oxidase I markers, we investigated if a host-parasite pair (the heart urchin Meoma ventricosa and its parasitic pea crab Dissodactylus primitivus) exhibits comparable population genetic structures in the Caribbean Sea and how the observed patterns match connectivity regions from predictive models and other taxa. Highly contrasting patterns were found: the host showed genetic homogeneity across the whole studied area, whereas the parasite displayed significant differentiation at regional and local scales. The genetic diversity of the parasitic crabs (both in microsatellites and COI) was distributed in two main groups, Panama-Jamaica-St Croix on the one hand, and the South-Eastern Caribbean on the other. At a smaller geographical scale, Panamanian and Jamaican parasite populations were genetically more similar, while more genetic differentiation was found within the Lesser Antilles. Both species showed a signature of population expansion during the Quaternary. Some results match predictive models or data from previous studies (e.g., the Western-Eastern dichotomy in the parasite) while others do not (e.g., genetic differentiation within the Lesser Antilles). The sharp dissimilarity of genetic structure of these codistributed species outlines the importance of population expansion events and/or contrasted patterns of gene flow. This might be linked to differences in several life history traits such as fecundity (higher for the host), swimming capacity of larval stages (higher for the parasite), and habitat availability (higher for the host).
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Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Jossart
- Département de Biologie des OrganismesLaboratoire de Biologie MarineUniversité Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)BrusselsBelgium
- BiogéosciencesUMR CNRS 6282Université de Bourgogne Franche‐Comté (UBFC)DijonFrance
| | - Chantal De Ridder
- Département de Biologie des OrganismesLaboratoire de Biologie MarineUniversité Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)BrusselsBelgium
| | | | - Mathieu Bauwens
- Département de Biologie des OrganismesLaboratoire de Biologie MarineUniversité Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)BrusselsBelgium
| | - Sébastien Motreuil
- BiogéosciencesUMR CNRS 6282Université de Bourgogne Franche‐Comté (UBFC)DijonFrance
| | - Thierry Rigaud
- BiogéosciencesUMR CNRS 6282Université de Bourgogne Franche‐Comté (UBFC)DijonFrance
| | - Rémi A. Wattier
- BiogéosciencesUMR CNRS 6282Université de Bourgogne Franche‐Comté (UBFC)DijonFrance
| | - Bruno David
- BiogéosciencesUMR CNRS 6282Université de Bourgogne Franche‐Comté (UBFC)DijonFrance
- Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN)ParisFrance
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31
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Coleman MA, Cetina-Heredia P, Roughan M, Feng M, van Sebille E, Kelaher BP. Anticipating changes to future connectivity within a network of marine protected areas. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:3533-3542. [PMID: 28122402 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Continental boundary currents are projected to be altered under future scenarios of climate change. As these currents often influence dispersal and connectivity among populations of many marine organisms, changes to boundary currents may have dramatic implications for population persistence. Networks of marine protected areas (MPAs) often aim to maintain connectivity, but anticipation of the scale and extent of climatic impacts on connectivity are required to achieve this critical conservation goal in a future of climate change. For two key marine species (kelp and sea urchins), we use oceanographic modelling to predict how continental boundary currents are likely to change connectivity among a network of MPAs spanning over 1000 km of coastline off the coast of eastern Australia. Overall change in predicted connectivity among pairs of MPAs within the network did not change significantly over and above temporal variation within climatic scenarios, highlighting the need for future studies to incorporate temporal variation in dispersal to robustly anticipate likely change. However, the intricacies of connectivity between different pairs of MPAs were noteworthy. For kelp, poleward connectivity among pairs of MPAs tended to increase in the future, whereas equatorward connectivity tended to decrease. In contrast, for sea urchins, connectivity among pairs of MPAs generally decreased in both directions. Self-seeding within higher-latitude MPAs tended to increase, and the role of low-latitude MPAs as a sink for urchins changed significantly in contrasting ways. These projected changes have the potential to alter important genetic parameters with implications for adaptation and ecosystem vulnerability to climate change. Considering such changes, in the context of managing and designing MPA networks, may ensure that conservation goals are achieved into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda A Coleman
- Department of Primary Industries, New South Wales Fisheries, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
| | - Paulina Cetina-Heredia
- Regional and Coastal Oceanography Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Climate Change Research Centre and ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Moninya Roughan
- Regional and Coastal Oceanography Laboratory, School of Mathematics and Statistics, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, NSW, 2088, Australia
| | - Ming Feng
- CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, M097, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Erik van Sebille
- Climate Change Research Centre and ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
- Grantham Institute & Department of Physics, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, SW7 2AZ London, UK
| | - Brendan P Kelaher
- National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia
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32
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A functional approach to the structural complexity of coral assemblages based on colony morphological features. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9849. [PMID: 28852107 PMCID: PMC5575326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10334-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Colony morphological features is among the best predictor of the scleractinian coral’s function in reef ecosystems. However, morphological traits are categorical and to convert this information into a quantitative value as well as estimate their influence on ecosystem process remain a challenge. Here, we propose a trait-based approach to quantify morphological diversity and assess the structural complexity of the habitat provided by corals. We used a previously published dataset that is related to a bleaching event that affected the coral reef off Tikus Island in Indonesia in 1983. We found clear signs of recovery of the coral assemblage’s complexity toward pre El Niño conditions five years after the event. Independent of the change observed in species richness, this return in structural complexity was accompanied by a global decrease in species number associated with each particular morphological entity (Functional Redundancy) and an increase in the number of single-species entities (Functional Vulnerability). Together with species loss, we show an overall functional erosion of the coral assemblage and suggest that the role of the coral reef habitat could be strongly imperiled under repeated or synergistic disturbances. This approach offers an opportunity for a better understanding of coral responses to natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
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33
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Abstract
Coral reefs rely on inter-habitat connectivity to maintain gene flow, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Coral reef communities of the Red Sea exhibit remarkable genetic homogeneity across most of the Arabian Peninsula coastline, with a genetic break towards the southern part of the basin. While previous studies have attributed these patterns to environmental heterogeneity, we hypothesize that they may also emerge as a result of dynamic circulation flow; yet, such linkages remain undemonstrated. Here, we integrate satellite-derived biophysical observations, particle dispersion model simulations, genetic population data and ship-borne in situ profiles to assess reef connectivity in the Red Sea. We simulated long-term (>20 yrs.) connectivity patterns driven by remotely-sensed sea surface height and evaluated results against estimates of genetic distance among populations of anemonefish, Amphiprion bicinctus, along the eastern Red Sea coastline. Predicted connectivity was remarkably consistent with genetic population data, demonstrating that circulation features (eddies, surface currents) formulate physical pathways for gene flow. The southern basin has lower physical connectivity than elsewhere, agreeing with known genetic structure of coral reef organisms. The central Red Sea provides key source regions, meriting conservation priority. Our analysis demonstrates a cost-effective tool to estimate biophysical connectivity remotely, supporting coastal management in data-limited regions.
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34
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Antoni L, Saillant E. Spatial connectivity in an adult-sedentary reef fish with extended pelagic larval phase. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:4955-4965. [PMID: 28746775 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the spatial scale of demographic connectivity in marine reef fishes dispersing pelagic larvae is a challenging task because of the technical difficulties associated with tagging and monitoring the movements of progeny at early life stages. Several studies highlighted a strong importance of local retention with levels of dispersal of ecological significance restricted to short distances. To date little information is available in species where pelagic dispersal lasts for long periods of time. In this work, population structure and connectivity were studied in the grey triggerfish, Balistes capriscus. Grey triggerfish larvae and juveniles remain associated with floating Sargassum sp. beds for an estimated period of 4-7 months before settling on benthic habitats where they remain sedentary as adults. Analysis of genetic variation among populations along the continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico and U.S. east coast, encompassing over 3,100 km of coastline, revealed homogeneous allele frequencies and a weak isolation-by-distance pattern. Moment and maximum-likelihood estimates of dispersal parameters both indicated occurrence of large neighbourhoods with estimates of the dispersal distribution parameter σ of 914 and 780 km, respectively. Simulated distributions of dispersal distances using several distribution functions all featured substantial fractions of long-distance dispersal events with the 90% percentiles of travel distance prior to settlement averaging 1,809 km. These results suggest a high dependency of local recruitment on the output of nonlocal spawning stocks located hundreds of kilometres away and a reduced role of local retention in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Antoni
- Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, School of Ocean Science and Technology, The University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS, USA
| | - E Saillant
- Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, School of Ocean Science and Technology, The University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS, USA
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35
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Beltrán DM, Schizas NV, Appeldoorn RS, Prada C. Effective Dispersal of Caribbean Reef Fish is Smaller than Current Spacing Among Marine Protected Areas. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4689. [PMID: 28680075 PMCID: PMC5498645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04849-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The oceans are deteriorating at a fast pace. Conservation measures, such as Marine Protected Areas, are being implemented to relieve areas from local stressors and allow populations to restore to natural levels. Successful networks of MPAs operate if the space among MPAs is smaller than the dispersal capacity of the species under protection. We studied connectivity patterns across populations in a series of MPAs in the common yellowhead Jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons. Using the power of genome-wide variation, we estimated that the maximum effective dispersal is 8.3 km. We found that MPAs exchange migrants likely via intermediate unprotected habitats through stepping stone dispersal. At scales >50 km such connectivity is decreased, particularly across the Mona Passage. The MPA network studied would be unable to maintain connectivity of these small benthic fishes if habitat in between them is extirpated. Our study highlights the power of SNPs to derive effective dispersal distance and the ability of SNPs to make inferences from single individuals. Given that overall reef fish diversity is driven by species with life histories similar to that of the yellowhead jawfish, managers face a challenge to develop strategies that allow connectivity and avoid isolation of populations and their possible extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Beltrán
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, 00681, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Nikolaos V Schizas
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, 00681, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Richard S Appeldoorn
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Call Box 9000, Mayagüez, 00681, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Carlos Prada
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Box 2072, Balboa, Panama.
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36
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Hiller A, Lessios HA. Phylogeography of Petrolisthes armatus, an invasive species with low dispersal ability. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3359. [PMID: 28611408 PMCID: PMC5469764 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03410-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Theoretically, species with high population structure are likely to expand their range, because marginal populations are free to adapt to local conditions; however, meta-analyses have found a negative relation between structure and invasiveness. The crab Petrolisthes armatus has a wide native range, which has expanded in the last three decades. We sequenced 1718 bp of mitochondrial DNA from native and recently established populations to determine the population structure of the former and the origin of the latter. There was phylogenetic separation between Atlantic and eastern Pacific populations, and between east and west Atlantic ones. Haplotypes on the coast of Florida and newly established populations in Georgia and South Carolina belong to a different clade from those from Yucatán to Brazil, though a few haplotypes are shared. In the Pacific, populations from Colombia and Ecuador are highly divergent from those from Panamá and the Sea of Cortez. In general, populations were separated hundreds to million years ago with little subsequent gene flow. High genetic diversity in the newly established populations shows that they were founded by many individuals. Range expansion appears to have been limited by low dispersal rather than lack of ability of marginal populations to adapt to extreme conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Hiller
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Box 0843-03092, Balboa, Panama.
| | - Harilaos A Lessios
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Box 0843-03092, Balboa, Panama.
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37
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Hackerott S, Valdivia A, Cox CE, Silbiger NJ, Bruno JF. Invasive lionfish had no measurable effect on prey fish community structure across the Belizean Barrier Reef. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3270. [PMID: 28560093 PMCID: PMC5446774 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive lionfish are assumed to significantly affect Caribbean reef fish communities. However, evidence of lionfish effects on native reef fishes is based on uncontrolled observational studies or small-scale, unrepresentative experiments, with findings ranging from no effect to large effects on prey density and richness. Moreover, whether lionfish affect populations and communities of native reef fishes at larger, management-relevant scales is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of lionfish on coral reef prey fish communities in a natural complex reef system. We quantified lionfish and the density, richness, and composition of native prey fishes (0-10 cm total length) at sixteen reefs along ∼250 km of the Belize Barrier Reef from 2009 to 2013. Lionfish invaded our study sites during this four-year longitudinal study, thus our sampling included fish community structure before and after our sites were invaded, i.e., we employed a modified BACI design. We found no evidence that lionfish measurably affected the density, richness, or composition of prey fishes. It is possible that higher lionfish densities are necessary to detect an effect of lionfish on prey populations at this relatively large spatial scale. Alternatively, negative effects of lionfish on prey could be small, essentially undetectable, and ecologically insignificant at our study sites. Other factors that influence the dynamics of reef fish populations including reef complexity, resource availability, recruitment, predation, and fishing could swamp any effects of lionfish on prey populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Hackerott
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.,STEM Department, The College of the Marshall Islands, Majuro, Marshall Islands
| | - Abel Valdivia
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapell Hill, NC, United States of America.,Oceans Program, Center for Biological Diversity, Oakland, CA, United States of America
| | - Courtney E Cox
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapell Hill, NC, United States of America.,Smithsonian Marine Conservation Program, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Nyssa J Silbiger
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - John F Bruno
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapell Hill, NC, United States of America
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38
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Hata T, Madin JS, Cumbo VR, Denny M, Figueiredo J, Harii S, Thomas CJ, Baird AH. Coral larvae are poor swimmers and require fine-scale reef structure to settle. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2249. [PMID: 28533550 PMCID: PMC5440398 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02402-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reef coral assemblages are highly dynamic and subject to repeated disturbances, which are predicted to increase in response to climate change. Consequently there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying different recovery scenarios. Recent work has demonstrated that reef structural complexity can facilitate coral recovery, but the mechanism remains unclear. Similarly, experiments suggest that coral larvae can distinguish between the water from healthy and degraded reefs, however, whether or not they can use these cues to navigate to healthy reefs is an open question. Here, we use a meta-analytic approach to document that coral larval swimming speeds are orders of magnitude lower than measurements of water flow both on and off reefs. Therefore, the ability of coral larvae to navigate to reefs while in the open-ocean, or to settlement sites while on reefs is extremely limited. We then show experimentally that turbulence generated by fine scale structure is required to deliver larvae to the substratum even in conditions mimicking calm back-reef flow environments. We conclude that structural complexity at a number of scales assists coral recovery by facilitating both the delivery of coral larvae to the substratum and settlement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Hata
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, 120 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950-3094, USA
| | - Joshua S Madin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Vivian R Cumbo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia
| | - Mark Denny
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, 120 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950-3094, USA
| | - Joanna Figueiredo
- Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, Nova Southeastern University, 8000 N Ocean Drive, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, USA
| | - Saki Harii
- Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Christopher J Thomas
- Université catholique de Louvain, Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering, Avenue G. Lemaître 4-6, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Andrew H Baird
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reefs Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia.
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39
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Larval fish dispersal in a coral-reef seascape. Nat Ecol Evol 2017; 1:148. [DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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40
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Pratchett MS, Baird AH, Bauman AG, Burt JA. Abundance and composition of juvenile corals reveals divergent trajectories for coral assemblages across the United Arab Emirates. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 114:1031-1035. [PMID: 27889075 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Marked shifts in the composition of coral assemblages are occurring at many locations, but it is unknown whether these are permanent shifts reinforced by patterns of population replenishment. This study examined the composition of juvenile coral assemblages across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Densities of juvenile corals varied significantly among locations, but were highest where coral cover was highest. Juvenile coral assemblages within the Persian Gulf were dominated by Porites, while no Acropora were recorded. We expect therefore, continued declines in Acropora abundance, while observed dominance of Porites is likely to persist. In the Oman Sea, Pocillopora was the dominant juvenile coral, with Acropora and Stylophora also recorded. This study shows that taxonomic differences in replenishment are reinforcing temporal shifts in coral composition within the southern Persian Gulf, but not in the Oman Sea. Differences in environmental conditions and disturbance regimes likely explain the divergent responses between regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan S Pratchett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville Q4811, Australia
| | - Andrew H Baird
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville Q4811, Australia
| | - Andrew G Bauman
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543, Singapore
| | - John A Burt
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, Abu Dhabi, PO Box 129188, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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41
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Klein M, Teixeira S, Assis J, Serrão EA, Gonçalves EJ, Borges R. High Interannual Variability in Connectivity and Genetic Pool of a Temperate Clingfish Matches Oceanographic Transport Predictions. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165881. [PMID: 27911952 PMCID: PMC5135045 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adults of most marine benthic and demersal fish are site-attached, with the dispersal of their larval stages ensuring connectivity among populations. In this study we aimed to infer spatial and temporal variation in population connectivity and dispersal of a marine fish species, using genetic tools and comparing these with oceanographic transport. We focused on an intertidal rocky reef fish species, the shore clingfish Lepadogaster lepadogaster, along the southwest Iberian Peninsula, in 2011 and 2012. We predicted high levels of self-recruitment and distinct populations, due to short pelagic larval duration and because all its developmental stages have previously been found near adult habitats. Genetic analyses based on microsatellites countered our prediction and a biophysical dispersal model showed that oceanographic transport was a good explanation for the patterns observed. Adult sub-populations separated by up to 300 km of coastline displayed no genetic differentiation, revealing a single connected population with larvae potentially dispersing long distances over hundreds of km. Despite this, parentage analysis performed on recruits from one focal site within the Marine Park of Arrábida (Portugal), revealed self-recruitment levels of 2.5% and 7.7% in 2011 and 2012, respectively, suggesting that both long- and short-distance dispersal play an important role in the replenishment of these populations. Population differentiation and patterns of dispersal, which were highly variable between years, could be linked to the variability inherent in local oceanographic processes. Overall, our measures of connectivity based on genetic and oceanographic data highlight the relevance of long-distance dispersal in determining the degree of connectivity, even in species with short pelagic larval durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Klein
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.,MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, R. Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Teixeira
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Jorge Assis
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Ester A Serrão
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Emanuel J Gonçalves
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, R. Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Borges
- CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.,MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, R. Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
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42
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Abelson A, Nelson PA, Edgar GJ, Shashar N, Reed DC, Belmaker J, Krause G, Beck MW, Brokovich E, France R, Gaines SD. Expanding marine protected areas to include degraded coral reefs. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2016; 30:1182-1191. [PMID: 26991947 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a commonly applied solution to coral reef degradation, yet coral reefs continue to decline worldwide. We argue that expanding the range of MPAs to include degraded reefs (DR-MPA) could help reverse this trend. This approach requires new ecological criteria for MPA design, siting, and management. Rather than focusing solely on preserving healthy reefs, our approach focuses on the potential for biodiversity recovery and renewal of ecosystem services. The new criteria would help identify sites with the highest potential for recovery and the greatest resistance to future threats (e.g., increased temperature and acidification) and sites that contribute to MPA connectivity. The DR-MPA approach is a compliment rather than a substitute for traditional MPA design approaches. We believe that the DR-MPA approach can enhance the natural, or restoration-assisted, recovery of DRs and their ecosystem services; increase total reef area available for protection; promote more resilient and better-connected MPA networks; and improve conditions for human communities dependent on MPA ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Abelson
- Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.
| | - P A Nelson
- H. T. Harvey & Associates, 983 University Avenue, Building D, Los Gatos, CA, 95032-7637, U.S.A
| | - G J Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart Tasmania, 7001, Australia
| | - N Shashar
- Eilat Campus, Ben-Gurion University, Eilat, Israel
| | - D C Reed
- Marine Science Institute University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-6150, U.S.A
| | - J Belmaker
- Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - G Krause
- Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Earth System Knowledge Platform (ESKP), Bussestrasse 24, D-27570, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - M W Beck
- Global Marine Team of The Nature Conservancy at the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, U.S.A
| | - E Brokovich
- The Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Kehilat New-York Street, Tel Aviv, 6775323, Israel
| | - R France
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada
| | - S D Gaines
- Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106-6150, U.S.A
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43
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Long-term aggregation of larval fish siblings during dispersal along an open coast. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:14067-14072. [PMID: 27872302 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613440113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pelagic dispersal of most benthic marine organisms is a fundamental driver of population distribution and persistence and is thought to lead to highly mixed populations. However, the mechanisms driving dispersal pathways of larvae along open coastlines are largely unknown. To examine the degree to which early stages can remain spatially coherent during dispersal, we measured genetic relatedness within a large pulse of newly recruited splitnose rockfish (Sebastes diploproa), a live-bearing fish whose offspring settle along the US Pacific Northwest coast after spending up to a year in the pelagic environment. A total of 11.6% of the recruits in a single recruitment pulse were siblings, providing the first evidence for persistent aggregation throughout a long dispersal period. Such protracted aggregation has profound implications for our understanding of larval dispersal, population connectivity, and gene flow within demersal marine populations.
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44
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Cabral RB, Gaines SD, Lim MT, Atrigenio MP, Mamauag SS, Pedemonte GC, Aliño PM. Siting marine protected areas based on habitat quality and extent provides the greatest benefit to spatially structured metapopulations. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Reniel B. Cabral
- Sustainable Fisheries GroupBren School of Environmental Science and Management and Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa Barbara California 93106 USA
- National Institute of PhysicsUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Steven D. Gaines
- Sustainable Fisheries GroupBren School of Environmental Science and Management and Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa Barbara California 93106 USA
| | - May T. Lim
- National Institute of PhysicsUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Michael P. Atrigenio
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Samuel S. Mamauag
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Gerold C. Pedemonte
- National Institute of PhysicsUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
| | - Porfirio M. Aliño
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman 1101 Quezon City Philippines
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Brown CJ, Harborne AR, Paris CB, Mumby PJ. Uniting paradigms of connectivity in marine ecology. Ecology 2016; 97:2447-2457. [DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Brown
- Marine Spatial Ecology Laboratory School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Goddard Building Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
- Australian Rivers Institute Griffith University Nathan Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - Alastair R. Harborne
- Marine Spatial Ecology Laboratory School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Goddard Building Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Goddard Building Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
- Division of Applied Marine Physics Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Research University of Miami 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami Florida 33149 USA
| | - Claire B. Paris
- Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University 3000 NE 151 Street North Miami Florida 33181 USA
| | - Peter J. Mumby
- Marine Spatial Ecology Laboratory School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Goddard Building Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies School of Biological Sciences The University of Queensland Goddard Building Brisbane Queensland 4072 Australia
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Simons RD, Page HM, Zaleski S, Miller R, Dugan JE, Schroeder DM, Doheny B. The Effects of Anthropogenic Structures on Habitat Connectivity and the Potential Spread of Non-Native Invertebrate Species in the Offshore Environment. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152261. [PMID: 27031827 PMCID: PMC4816305 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Offshore structures provide habitat that could facilitate species range expansions and the introduction of non-native species into new geographic areas. Surveys of assemblages of seven offshore oil and gas platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel revealed a change in distribution of the non-native sessile invertebrate Watersipora subtorquata, a bryozoan with a planktonic larval duration (PLD) of 24 hours or less, from one platform in 2001 to four platforms in 2013. We use a three-dimensional biophysical model to assess whether larval dispersal via currents from harbors to platforms and among platforms is a plausible mechanism to explain the change in distribution of Watersipora and to predict potential spread to other platforms in the future. Hull fouling is another possible mechanism to explain the change in distribution of Watersipora. We find that larval dispersal via currents could account for the increase in distribution of Watersipora from one to four platforms and that Watersipora is unlikely to spread from these four platforms to additional platforms through larval dispersal. Our results also suggest that larvae with PLDs of 24 hours or less released from offshore platforms can attain much greater dispersal distances than larvae with PLDs of 24 hours or less released from nearshore habitat. We hypothesize that the enhanced dispersal distance of larvae released from offshore platforms is driven by a combination of the offshore hydrodynamic environment, larval behavior, and larval release above the seafloor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel D. Simons
- Earth Research Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Henry M. Page
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Susan Zaleski
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region, Camarillo, California, United States of America
| | - Robert Miller
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Jenifer E. Dugan
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
| | - Donna M. Schroeder
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Pacific Region, Camarillo, California, United States of America
| | - Brandon Doheny
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States of America
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Coral Reefs at the Northernmost Tip of Borneo: An Assessment of Scleractinian Species Richness Patterns and Benthic Reef Assemblages. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0146006. [PMID: 26719987 PMCID: PMC4697805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The coral reefs at the northernmost tip of Sabah, Borneo will be established under a marine protected area: the Tun Mustapha Park (TMP) by the end of 2015. This area is a passage where the Sulu Sea meets the South China Sea and it is situated at the border of the area of maximum marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle. The TMP includes fringing and patch reefs established on a relatively shallow sea floor. Surveys were carried out to examine features of the coral reefs in terms of scleractinian species richness, and benthic reef assemblages following the Reef Check substrate categories, with emphasis on hard coral cover. Variation in scleractinian diversity was based on the species composition of coral families Fungiidae (n = 39), Agariciidae (n = 30) and Euphylliidae (n = 15). The number of coral species was highest at reefs with a larger depth gradient i.e. at the periphery of the study area and in the deep South Banggi Channel. Average live hard coral cover across the sites was 49%. Only 7% of the examined reefs had > 75% hard coral cover, while the majority of the reef sites were rated fair (51%) and good (38%). Sites with low coral cover and high rubble fragments are evidence of blast fishing, although the observed damage appeared old. Depth was a dominant factor in influencing the coral species composition and benthic reef communities in the TMP. Besides filling in the information gaps regarding species richness and benthic cover for reef areas that were previously without any data, the results of this study together with information that is already available on the coral reefs of TMP will be used to make informed decisions on zoning plans for conservation priorities in the proposed park.
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Schill SR, Raber GT, Roberts JJ, Treml EA, Brenner J, Halpin PN. No Reef Is an Island: Integrating Coral Reef Connectivity Data into the Design of Regional-Scale Marine Protected Area Networks. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144199. [PMID: 26641083 PMCID: PMC4671564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We integrated coral reef connectivity data for the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico into a conservation decision-making framework for designing a regional scale marine protected area (MPA) network that provides insight into ecological and political contexts. We used an ocean circulation model and regional coral reef data to simulate eight spawning events from 2008-2011, applying a maximum 30-day pelagic larval duration and 20% mortality rate. Coral larval dispersal patterns were analyzed between coral reefs across jurisdictional marine zones to identify spatial relationships between larval sources and destinations within countries and territories across the region. We applied our results in Marxan, a conservation planning software tool, to identify a regional coral reef MPA network design that meets conservation goals, minimizes underlying threats, and maintains coral reef connectivity. Our results suggest that approximately 77% of coral reefs identified as having a high regional connectivity value are not included in the existing MPA network. This research is unique because we quantify and report coral larval connectivity data by marine ecoregions and Exclusive Economic Zones (EZZ) and use this information to identify gaps in the current Caribbean-wide MPA network by integrating asymmetric connectivity information in Marxan to design a regional MPA network that includes important reef network connections. The identification of important reef connectivity metrics guides the selection of priority conservation areas and supports resilience at the whole system level into the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven R. Schill
- Caribbean Program, The Nature Conservancy, Coral Gables, Florida, United States of America
| | - George T. Raber
- Department of Geography and Geology, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jason J. Roberts
- Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Eric A. Treml
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jorge Brenner
- Texas Chapter, The Nature Conservancy, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Patrick N. Halpin
- Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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Macroalgal Composition Determines the Structure of Benthic Assemblages Colonizing Fragmented Habitats. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142289. [PMID: 26554924 PMCID: PMC4640819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the consequences of fragmentation of coastal habitats is an important topic of discussion in marine ecology. Research on the effects of fragmentation has revealed complex and context-dependent biotic responses, which prevent generalizations across different habitats or study organisms. The effects of fragmentation in marine environments have been rarely investigated across heterogeneous habitats, since most studies have focused on a single type of habitat or patch. In this study, we assessed the effects of different levels of fragmentation (i.e. decreasing size of patches without overall habitat loss). We measured these effects using assemblages of macro-invertebrates colonizing representative morphological groups of intertidal macroalgae (e.g. encrusting, turf and canopy-forming algae). For this purpose, we constructed artificial assemblages with different combinations of morphological groups and increasing levels of fragmentation by manipulating the amount of bare rock or the spatial arrangement of different species in mixed assemblages. In general, our results showed that 1) fragmentation did not significantly affect the assemblages of macroinvertebrates; 2) at greater levels of fragmentation, there were greater numbers of species in mixed algal assemblages, suggesting that higher habitat complexity promotes species colonization. Our results suggest that predicting the consequences of fragmentation in heterogeneous habitats is dependent on the type and diversity of morphological groups making up those habitats.
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50
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Thomas CJ, Bridge TC, Figueiredo J, Deleersnijder E, Hanert E. Connectivity between submerged and near‐sea‐surface coral reefs: can submerged reef populations act as refuges? DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Thomas
- Institute of Mechanics Materials and Civil Engineering (iMMC) Université catholique de Louvain 1348 Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
| | - Tom C.L. Bridge
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld 4811 Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science PMB #3 Townsville MC Qld 4810 Australia
| | - Joana Figueiredo
- Oceanographic Center Nova Southeastern University 8000 N Ocean Drive Dania Beach FL 33004 USA
| | - Eric Deleersnijder
- Institute of Mechanics Materials and Civil Engineering (iMMC) Université catholique de Louvain 1348 Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
- Earth and Life Institute (ELI) Université catholique de Louvain 1348 Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
- Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM) Delft University of Technology Mekelweg 4 2628CD Delft The Netherlands
| | - Emmanuel Hanert
- Earth and Life Institute (ELI) Université catholique de Louvain 1348 Louvain‐la‐Neuve Belgium
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