Here, we introduce ezRAD, a novel strategy for restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) that requires little technical expertise or investment in laboratory equipment, and demonstrate its utility ten non-model organisms across wide taxonomic range. ezRAD differs from other RAD methods primarily through use of standard Illumina TruSeq library preparation kits, which makes it possible any to send out commercial genomic core facility next-generation sequencing with virtually no additional beyond...

We are writing in response to the population and phylogenomics meeting review by Andrews & Luikart (2014) entitled 'Recent novel approaches for genomics data analysis'. Restriction-site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing has become a powerful useful approach molecular ecology, with several different published methods now available ecologists, none of which can be considered best option all situations. A&L report that original RAD protocol Miller et al. (2007) Baird (2008) is superior other...

Determining the geographic scale at which to apply ecosystem-based management (EBM) has proven be an obstacle for many marine conservation programs. Generalizations based on proximity, taxonomy, or life history characteristics provide little predictive power in determining overall patterns of connectivity, and therefore offer terms delineating boundaries spatial areas. Here, we a case study 27 taxonomically ecologically diverse species (including reef fishes, mammals, gastropods,...

We combine kinship estimates with traditional F-statistics to explain contemporary drivers of population genetic differentiation despite high gene flow. investigate range-wide structure the California spiny (or red rock) lobster (Panulirus interruptus) and find slight, but significant global in mtDNA (ΦST = 0.006, P 0.001; D(est_Chao) 0.025) seven nuclear microsatellites (F(ST) 0.004, < 0.03), species' 240- 330-day pelagic larval duration. Significant does not correlate distance between...

The Genomic Observatories Metadatabase (GeOMe, http://www.geome-db.org/) is an open access repository for geographic and ecological metadata associated with biosamples genetic data. Whereas public databases have served as vital repositories nucleotide sequences, they do not accession all the required or evolutionary analyses. GeOMe fills this need, providing a user-friendly, web-based interface both data contributors recipients. allows to create customized yet standard-compliant spreadsheet...

Abstract The marine environment offers few obvious barriers to dispersal for broadcast‐spawning species, yet population genetic structure can occur on a scale much smaller than the theoretical limits of larval dispersal. Comparative phylogeographical studies sympatric sister species illuminate how differences in life history, behaviour, and habitat affinity influence partitioning. Here we use mitochondrial DNA marker (612 bp cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) investigate three endemic Hawaiian...

Endosymbiotic dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium are fundamentally important to biology of scleractinian corals, as well a variety other marine organisms. The is genetically and functionally diverse taxonomic nature union between corals implicated key trait determining environmental tolerance symbiosis. Surprisingly, question how diversity partitions within species across spatial scales meters kilometers has received little attention, but understanding intrinsic biological scope given...

Speciation remains a central enigma in biology, and nowhere is this more apparent than shallow tropical seas where biodiversity rivals that of rainforests. Obvious barriers to gene flow are few most marine species have highly dispersive larval stage, which should greatly decrease opportunities for speciation via geographic isolation. The disparity the level isolation terrestrial exemplified Hawai'i allopatric abound realm. In contrast, colonizers believed produce only single endemic or...

Parental effects are ubiquitous in nature and many organisms play a particularly critical role the transfer of symbionts across generations; however, their influence relative importance marine environment has rarely been considered. Coral reefs biologically diverse productive ecosystems, whose success is framed by symbiosis between reef-building corals unicellular dinoflagellates genus Symbiodinium. Many produce aposymbiotic larvae that infected Symbiodinium from (horizontal transmission),...

One of the most significant biological disturbances on a tropical coral reef is population outbreak fecund, corallivorous crown-of-thorns sea star, Acanthaster planci. Although factors that trigger an initial may vary, successive outbreaks within and across regions are assumed to spread via planktonic larvae released from primary outbreak. This secondary hypothesis predominantly based high dispersal potential A. planci assertion populations (a rogue subset larger population) genetically more...

Holothuria atra is one of the most common and widest ranging tropical, coral reef sea cucumbers in world, here we examine population genetic structure based on mitochondrial COI to aid determining appropriate scale for management. Based SAMOVA, AMOVA BARRIER analyses, show that despite its large range, H. has hierarchical, fine-scale driven primarily by between-archipelago barriers, but with significant differences between sites within an archipelago as well. Migrate analyses along haplotype...

Abstract Overfishing remains a threat to coral reef fishes worldwide, with large carnivores often disproportionately vulnerable. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can restore fish populations and biodiversity, but their effect has been understudied in mesophotic ecosystems (MCEs), particularly the Coral Triangle. Videos were analysed from baited remote underwater video systems deployed 2016 investigate assemblage structure of carnivorous at shallow (4–12 m) (45–96 depths two largest most...

The effects of tides on littoral marine habitats are so ubiquitous that shorelines commonly described as 'intertidal', whereas waves considered a secondary factor simply modifies the intertidal habitat. However mean significant wave height exceeds tidal range at many locations worldwide. Here we construct simple sinusoidal model coastal water level based both and height. From patterns emergence submergence predicted by model, derive four vertical shoreline benchmarks which bracket up to...

Improved coral cultivation will facilitate the reduction of wild harvesting, reef restoration, preservation biodiversity, and use corals as model experimental organisms. In this study, we examine species-specific responses in growth survival from effects light, water motion artificial (i.e. non-living aquarium trade) food supplements. Three species representing distinct, diverse abundant genera were chosen ( Montipora capitata (Mc), Porites compressa (Pc) Pocillopora damicornis (Pd)) for...

The endemic Hawaiian limpets (Cellana exarata, Cellanasandwicensis, and Cellanatalcosa), reside at different elevations on wave-exposed rocky shores comprise a monophyletic lineage that diversified within Hawai‘i. Here, I report phenotypic differences in shell, soft tissue, behavioral characters among these discuss their potential utility exploiting respective niches. high-shore limpet, C. is characterized by tall round short mantle tentacles, long evasion distance when confronted predatory...

Abstract Aim Mayr's central‐peripheral population model (CCPM) describes the marked differences between central and peripheral populations in genetic diversity, gene flow, census size. When isolation leads to divergence, these have high evolutionary value can influence biogeographic patterns. In tropical marine species with pelagic larvae, powerful western‐boundary currents great potential shape characteristics of at latitudinal extremes. We tested for patterns expected by CCPM that are...

Abstract This investigation developed and tested descriptive models designed to evaluate coral reef ecological condition based on data using the basic techniques most often used in surveys. Forty‐three variables at 184 stations were analysed order identify specific factors that are useful metrics for describing condition. The common practice of ‘reference sites’ paired site comparisons was evaluated by developing a reference model (RSM). use sites proved be subjective unreliable, especially...

Echinoderms are the targets of considerable global artisanal and commercial fisheries, but efforts to effectively manage them suffer from poor understanding population demographics connectivity. Here we report genetic data (mitochondrial COI sequence) for two congeneric sea cucumbers, Holothuria atra (Jaeger, 1833) whitmaei (Bell, 1887), throughout Hawaiian Archipelago Johnston Atoll inform resource management. These species share a wide range across Indo-Pacific region, most ubiquitous on...

An understanding of the genetic composition populations across management boundaries is vital to developing successful strategies for sustaining biodiversity and food resources. This especially important in ecosystems where habitat fragmentation has altered baseline patterns gene flow, dividing natural into smaller subpopulations increasing potential loss variation through drift. River systems can be highly fragmented by dams built flow regulation hydropower. We used reduced-representation...

The invasion of the western Atlantic Ocean by Indo-Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans) has had devastating consequences for marine ecosystems. Estimating number colonizing can be useful in identifying introduction pathway and inform policy decisions aimed at preventing similar invasions. It is well-established that least ten were initially introduced. However, estimate not faced probabilistic scrutiny based solely on haplotypes maternally-inherited mitochondrial control region. To...

Abstract Impacts of urban development on aquatic populations are often complex and difficult to ascertain, but population genetic analysis has allowed researchers monitor estimate gene flow in the context existing future hydroelectric projects. The Lower Mekong Basin is undergoing rapid with around 50 completed under‐construction dams 95 planned dams. authors investigated baseline diversity two exploited migratory fishes, mud carp Henicorhynchus lobatus (five locations), rat‐faced pangasiid...