MsatAllele is a computer package built on R to visualize and bin the raw microsatellite allele size distributions. The method based creation of an database with exported files from open-source electropherogram peak-reading program STRAND. Contrary other binning programs, in this program, limits are not fixed automatically defined by data stored database. Data manipulation graphical functions allow 1) variation, allowing detection potential scoring errors, strange distributions, unexpected...

Abstract Aim The seagrass, Posidonia oceanica is a clonal angiosperm endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. Previous studies have suggested that growth far greater than sexual recruitment and thus leads low diversity within meadows. However, recently developed microsatellite markers indicate there are many different genotypes, therefore distinct clones present. resolution of used in past limited our ability estimate clonality assess individual level. New high‐resolution dinucleotide...

The increasing use of molecular tools to study populations clonal organisms leads us question whether the low polymorphism found in many studies reflects limited genetic diversity or limitations markers used. Here we used microsatellite datasets for two sea grass species provide a combinatory statistic, combined with likelihood approach estimate probability identical multilocus genotypes (MLGs) be shared by distinct individuals, order ascertain efficiency and optimize cost-efficiently choice...

Abstract Ocean currents are expected to be the predominant environmental factor influencing dispersal of planktonic larvae or spores; yet, their characterization as predictors marine connectivity has been hindered by a lack understanding how best use oceanographic data. We used high‐resolution model output and Lagrangian particle simulations derive distances (hereafter called transport times) between sites studied for Macrocystis pyrifera genetic differentiation. build upon classical...

Abstract Aim Past climate‐driven range shifts shaped intraspecific diversities of species world‐wide. Earlier studies, focused on glacial refugia, might have overlooked genetic erosion at lower latitudes associated with warmer periods. For marine able to colonize deeper waters, depth be important for local persistence, preventing some latitudinal shifts, analogous elevational refugia in terrestrial habitats. In this study, we asked whether past or explain extant gene pools Saccorhiza...

The genetic consequences of living on the edge distributional ranges have been subject a largely unresolved debate. Populations occurring along persistent low latitude (rear-edge) are expected to retain high and unique diversity. In contrast, currently less favourable environmental conditions limiting population size at such range-edges may caused erosion that prevails over past historical effects, with potential reducing future adaptive capacity. present study provides an empirical test...

Abstract Global climate change is likely to constrain low latitude range edges across many taxa and habitats. Such the case for NE Atlantic marine macroalgal forests, important ecosystems whose main structuring species annual kelp Saccorhiza polyschides . We coupled ecological niche modelling with simulations of potential dispersal delayed development stages infer major forces shaping predict their dynamics. Models indicated that southern limit set by high winter temperatures above...

Abstract The extent of clonality within populations strongly influences their spatial genetic structure (SGS), yet this is hardly ever thoroughly analysed. We employed autocorrelation analysis to study effects sexual and clonal reproduction on dispersal the dioecious seagrass Cymodocea nodosa . Analyses were performed both at genet level (i.e. excluding repeats) ramet level. Clonal was characterized by subrange, a measure linear limits where still affects SGS. show that subrange equivalent...

Abstract Aim A central question in evolutionary ecology is the nature of environmental barriers that can limit gene flow and induce population genetic divergence, a first step towards speciation. Here we study geographical barrier constituted by transition zone between Atlantic Ocean Mediterranean Sea, using as our model Cymodocea nodosa , seagrass distributed throughout Atlantic, from Portugal to Mauritania. We also test predictions about footprints Pleistocene glaciations. Location The...

Isolation by distance (IBD) models are widely used to predict levels of genetic connectivity as a function Euclidean distance, and although recent studies have GIS‐landscape ecological approaches improve the predictability spatial structure, few if any addressed effect habitat continuity on gene flow. Landscape effects even less understood in marine populations, where mapping is particularly challenging. In this study, we model structure habitat‐structuring species, giant kelp Macrocystis...

Demographic connectivity is vital to sustaining metapopulations yet often changes dramatically through time due variation in the production and dispersal of offspring. However, relative importance fecundity determining dynamics poorly understood paucity comprehensive spatio-temporal data on these processes for most species. We quantified a marine foundation species (giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera ) across 11 years approximately 900 km coastline by estimating population with satellite...

Ex situ seed banking was first conceptualized and implemented in the early 20th century to maintain protect crop lines. Today, ex is important for preservation of heirloom strains, biodiversity conservation ecosystem restoration, diverse research applications. However, these efforts primarily target microalgae terrestrial plants. Although some collections include macroalgae (i.e., seaweeds), they are relatively few have yet be connected via any international, coordinated initiative. In this...

Ecological theory predicts that demographic connectivity structures the dynamics of local populations within metapopulation systems, but empirical support has been constrained by major limitations in data and methodology. We tested this prediction for giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, a key habitat-forming species temperate coastal ecosystems worldwide, southern California, USA. combined long-term (22 years), large-scale (~500 km coastline), high-resolution census abundance with novel patch...

At small spatial and temporal scales, genetic differentiation is largely controlled by constraints on gene flow, while diversity across a species' distribution shaped longer scales. We assess the hypothesis that oceanographic transport other seascape features explain different scales of structure giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. followed hierarchical approach to perform microsatellite-based analysis in its northeast Pacific. used approaches identify large-scale biogeographic population...

Abstract Aim Drivers of intraspecific biodiversity include past climate‐driven range shifts and contemporary ecological conditions mediating connectivity, but these are rarely integrated in a common comprehensive approach. This is particularly relevant for marine organisms, as ocean currents strongly influence population isolation or keeping diluting the signatures left by climates. Here we ask whether coupling between connectivity explain extant gene pools Laminaria ochroleuca , large brown...

The paradigm of past climate-driven range shifts structuring the distribution marine intraspecific biodiversity lacks replication in biological models exposed to comparable limiting conditions independent regions. This may lead confounding effects unlinked climate drivers. We aim fill this gap by asking whether global giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is explained changes occurring across two hemispheres. compared species' population genetic diversity and structure inferred with...

Abstract Macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp), is a brown macroalga of great ecological importance as primary producer and structure-forming foundational species that provides habitat for hundreds species. It has many commercial uses (e.g. source alginate, fertilizer, cosmetics, feedstock). One the limitations to exploiting giant kelp’s economic potential assisting in kelp conservation efforts lack genomic tools like high quality, contiguous reference genome with accurate gene annotations....

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 265:77-83 (2003) - doi:10.3354/meps265077 Is asexual reproduction more important at geographical limits? A genetic study of seagrass Zostera marina in Ria Formosa, Portugal Martin R. Billingham1, Thorsten B. H. Reusch2, Filipe Alberto1, Ester A. Serrão1,* 1CCMAR (Centro de Ciências do Mar), FCMA (Faculdade...

Populations of many species display spatially synchronous fluctuations in abundance. Synchrony is most commonly attributed to three processes: factors that influence recruitment (e.g., dispersal, early survival), large‐scale environmental variability, and autocorrelated trophic interactions. However it often difficult link population synchrony a specific dominant process, particularly when multiple synchronizing forces are operating. We utilized new satellite‐based data set giant kelp (...

The manner in which patches are delineated spatially realistic metapopulation models will influence the size, connectivity, and extinction recolonization dynamics of those patches. Most commonly used patch‐definition methods focus on identifying discrete, contiguous habitat from a single temporal observation species occurrence or model suitability. However, these approaches not suitable for many systems where entire may be fully colonized at given time. For systems, large patch actually...

With national interest in seaweed-based biofuels as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, there is need for tools that produce high-yield seaweed cultivars and increase the efficiency of offshore farms. Several agricultural studies have demonstrated application microbial inoculants at an early life stage can improve crop yield, opportunity use similar techniques aquaculture. However, critical knowledge gap regarding host-microbiome associations macroalgae gametophytes germplasm...

Abstract Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, exists as distinct morphological variants—or “ecomorphs”—in different populations, yet the mechanism for this variation is uncertain, and environmental drivers either adaptive or plastic phenotypes have not been identified. The ecomorphs “pyrifera” M. “integrifolia” are distributed throughout temperate waters of North South America with almost no geographic overlap exhibit an incongruous, non-mirrored, distribution across equator. This study...

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 309:117-129 (2006) - doi:10.3354/meps309117 Genetic diversity of a clonal angiosperm near its range limit: case Cymodocea nodosa at Canary Islands Filipe Alberto1, Sophie Arnaud-Haond1, Carlos M. Duarte2, Ester A. Serrão1,* 1CCMAR, CIMAR-Laboratório Associado, University Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139...