MEPS 396:211-219 (2009)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08281

ABSTRACT: Comparative analyses of the genetic population structure of hosts and parasites can be useful to elucidate factors that influence dispersal, because common ecological and evolutionary processes can lead to congruent patterns. We studied the comparative genetic population structure based on partial sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene of the blue starfish Linckia laevigata and its gastropod ectoparasite Thyca crystallina in order to elucidate evolutionary processes in the Indo-Malay Archipelago. AMOVA revealed a low fixation index but significant genetic population structure (φ_ST = 0.03) in L. laevigata, whereas T. crystallina showed panmixing (φ_ST = 0.005). According to a hierarchical AMOVA, the populations of L. laevigata could be assigned to the following groups: (1) Eastern Indian Ocean, (2) central Indo-Malay Archipelago and (3) Western Pacific. This pattern of a genetic break in L. laevigata between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, congruent to studies on other marine species in the Indo-Malay Archipelago, is likely due to allopatry caused by Pliocene and Pleistocene glacial sea level low stands.

KEY WORDS: COI · Coral Triangle · Coral reef · Phylogeography · Population expansion · Southeast Asia

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Cite this article as: Kochzius M, Seidel C, Hauschild J, Kirchhoff S and others (2009) Genetic population structures of the blue starfish Linckia laevigata and its gastropod ectoparasite Thyca crystallina. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 396:211-219. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08281 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn