ABSTRACT: Understanding population connectivity is fundamental to ecology, and, for sedentary organisms, connectivity is achieved through larval dispersal. We tested whether coastal topography influences genetic structure in Perna perna mussels by comparing populations inside bays and on the open coast. Higher hydrodynamic stress on the open coast produces higher mortality and thus genetic turnover. Populations on the open coast had fewer private haplotypes and less genetic endemism than those inside bays. Gene flow analysis showed that bays act as source populations, with greater migration rates out of bays than into them. Differences in genetic structure on scales of 10s of kilometres show that coastal configuration strongly affects selection, larval dispersal and haplotype diversity.
KEY WORDS: Dispersal · Coastal topography · Connectivity
Full text in pdf format | Cite this article as: Nicastro KR, Zardi GI, McQuaid CD, Teske PR, Barker NP
(2008) Coastal topography drives genetic structure in marine mussels. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 368:189-195. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07607 Export citation Share: Facebook - - linkedIn |
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