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Genetic sub-structure and intermediate optimal outcrossing distance in the marine angiosperm Zostera marina

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Abstract

The spatial distribution of genetic variability depends on the spatial patterns of clonal and sexual reproduction, gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection. Species with restricted dispersal may exhibit genetic structuring within populations with immediate neighbours being close relatives, and may show differentiation among populations. Genetic structuring of a species may have important genetic, evolutionary and ecological consequences including distance-dependent mating success. In this study we used microsatellite markers to show that clones of Zostera marina in a population in the Ria Formosa, Portugal, were aggregated and covered distances of up to 3–4 m. Clones within 4 m of each other exhibited significant and positive coancestry values, reflecting the limited seed dispersal of this species. Hand-pollinations between near (0–10.9 m), intermediate (11–32 m) and far (15 km) individuals resulted in similar levels of seed set, although the near pollinations had higher, although not statistically significant, levels of seed abortion during maturation. Seeds from intermediate-distance pollinations had a significantly higher proportion of seeds germinate and shorter germination time than both the near and far seeds. Similarly, the average number of seedlings produced per pollination, used as an overall estimate of fitness, was significantly greater for the intermediate distance when compared to both near and far pollinations. These results suggest that the genetic structuring observed may result in both inbreeding and outbreeding depression, which gives rise to an intermediate optimal outcrossing distance.

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Acknowledgements

We thank S. Lopes, C. B. Capela and A. L. Quaresma at the Parque Natural de Ria Formosa for boat logistics. Thanks also to A. Hämmerli and C. Perrin for comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. This work was supported by FCT (Portugal) and ESF (European Social Fund) fellowships to MRB, the EU project EVK3-CT-2000-00044–Monitoring and Management of European Seagrass Beds (M&MS) and the FCT (Portugal) project PNAT/1999/BIA/15003/C and complies with the current laws in Portugal.

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  1. Thorsten B. H. Reusch

    Present address: Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Muenster, Huefferstr. 1, 48149, Muenster, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CCMAR, CIMAR- Laboratório Associado, F.C.M.A, Universidade do Algarve, Gambelas, Faro, 8005-139, Portugal

    Martin R. Billingham, Tiago Simões & Ester A. Serrão

  2. Institute for Conservation Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    Martin R. Billingham

  3. Max-Planck-Institut für Limnologie, August-Thienemann-Str.2, 24306, Plön, Germany

    Thorsten B. H. Reusch

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  1. Martin R. Billingham
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Correspondence to Martin R. Billingham.

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Communicated by S. A. Poulet.

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Billingham, M.R., Simões, T., Reusch, T.B.H. et al. Genetic sub-structure and intermediate optimal outcrossing distance in the marine angiosperm Zostera marina . Mar Biol 152, 793–801 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-007-0730-0

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