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Connectivity of the seagrass Zostera muelleri within south-eastern Australia
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posted on 2022-09-29, 02:23 authored by R E Stafford-Bell, W F D Van Dongen, R W Robinson, A A CharitonContemporary oceanic conditions and local dispersal of propagules influence the genetic diversity and connectivity among seagrass populations. The degree of connectivity between populations of Zostera muelleri in south-eastern Australia is unknown. In this study we examined genetic connectivity among 25 sites containing Z. muelleri using nine polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci. We hypothesised minimal sharing of genetic material between distant populations and a degree of connectivity between local populations. Genotypic diversity was high, with 64% of populations having unique multilocus genotypes (MLGs), indicating the importance of sexual reproduction. Two sites shared MLGs, which may be due to the dispersal and recruitment of vegetative propagules. Genetic differentiation was observed between most sites. With the exception of two outlying sites, two genetic population clusters were identified across the studied populations. Regionally, the populations have high clonal diversity, are strongly differentiated and generally exist in isolation from one another. However, non-significant within-estuary differentiation was observed for three estuaries, indicating a degree of connectivity. The results of this research improve our understanding of the connectivity of Z. muelleri populations in the region, an important process for managing this ecosystem engineer.
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Journal
Marine and Freshwater ResearchVolume
70Issue
8Pagination
1056 - 1064Publisher DOI
ISSN
1323-1650Publication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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Keywords
Science & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePhysical SciencesFisheriesLimnologyMarine & Freshwater BiologyOceanographyclonal diversitymicrosatelliteIRMISCH EX ASCHVEGETATIVE FRAGMENTSMARINE BIOGEOGRAPHYGENETIC DIVERSITYDISPERSALECOSYSTEMPLANTPOPULATIONSSOFTWAREFLOWPhycology (incl. Marine Grasses)
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