Environmental diel variation, parasite loads, and local population structuring of a mixed‐mating mangrove fish

Ecology and Evolution

Amy Ellison⁴  Patricia Wright³  D. Scott Taylor¹  Chris Cooper³  Kelly Regan³  Suzie Currie² 

[1] Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, Melbourne, Florida 32904;Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB, E4L 1G7, Canada;Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada;IBERS, Aberystwyth University, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth SY23 3DA, United Kingdom

关键词: Environmental instability;    genetic diversity;    Kryptolebias marmoratus;    outcrossing;    parasites;    selfing;   

DOI  :  10.1002/ece3.289

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Genetic variation within populations depends on population size, spatial structuring, and environmental variation, but is also influenced by mating system. Mangroves are some of the most productive and threatened ecosystems on earth and harbor a large proportion of species with mixed-mating (self-fertilization and outcrossing). Understanding population structuring in mixed-mating species is critical for conserving and managing these complex ecosystems. Kryptolebias marmoratus is a unique mixed-mating vertebrate inhabiting mangrove swamps under highly variable tidal regimes and environmental conditions. We hypothesized that geographical isolation and ecological pressures influence outcrossing rates and genetic diversity, and ultimately determine the local population structuring of K. marmoratus. By comparing genetic variation at 32 microsatellites, diel fluctuations of environmental parameters, and parasite loads among four locations with different degrees of isolation, we found significant differences in genetic diversity and genotypic composition but little evidence of isolation by distance. Locations also differed in environmental diel fluctuation and parasite composition. Our results suggest that mating system, influenced by environmental instability and parasites, underpins local population structuring of K. marmoratus. More generally, we discuss how the conservation of selfing species inhabiting mangroves and other biodiversity hotspots may benefit from knowledge of mating strategies and population structuring at small spatial scales.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
© 2011 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.