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Phylogeography of the Antarctic planktotrophic brittle star Ophionotus victoriae reveals genetic structure inconsistent with early life history

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Abstract

In the marine environment, connectivity is influenced by physical oceanography as well as life history and behavioral traits, which in combination with historical events such as geology, physical oceanography, and climate, determine population structure. The Antarctic brittle star Ophionotus victoriae develops via a feeding planktonic larval stage, and therefore has potential for long-distance dispersal throughout its Antarctic/subantarctic range. To evaluate this hypothesis, phylogeography of this ecologically dominant species was elucidated by sequence analysis of two mtDNA genes from individuals collected throughout the Antarctic Peninsula and from two subantarctic islands. Counter to expectations of genetic homogeneity, mtDNA data revealed substantial levels of genetic differentiation as well as diversity. Although there were some genetically homogeneous populations, such as those throughout Bransfield Strait, we found O. victoriae to have significant population structure throughout much of the Antarctic Peninsula, with evidence of potential cryptic speciation between the western and eastern Antarctic Peninsula. Furthermore, Antarctic Peninsula populations were genetically distinct from subantarctic island populations. The low levels of connectivity implied for O. victoriae contrast with those found for many other Antarctic benthic taxa, and suggest a complex interplay between oceanography, recent climate history, and larval ecology.

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Acknowledgments

Crew and participants in the 2004 and 2006 Antarctic cruises aboard the R/V Laurence M. Gould are gratefully acknowledged for their help and logistical support in collecting. Samples from the South Sandwich Islands and Bouvet Island were collected during a 2004 cruise aboard the R/V Nathanial B. Palmer (NSF OPP-0132032), and were generously provided by Susie Lockhart and William Deitrich (OPP-0132032). While we were unable to obtain DNA from Ross Sea samples of O. victoriae, we thank Michael League for graciously providing samples from Explorer’s Cove, New Harbor. Chad Smith, a former undergraduate researcher in the Halanych Lab, helped with lab work during the early stages of this project. Helpful comments were provided by Scott Santos. This work was supported by National Science Foundation grants (OPP-9910164, OPP-0338087, and OPP-0338218) to Kenneth M. Halanych and Rudolph S. Scheltema. This is AU Marine Biology Program contribution #66.

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  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, 101 Rouse Life Sciences Building, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Rebecca L. Hunter & Kenneth M. Halanych

  2. Department of Biology, Abilene Christian University, 477 Foster Science Building, ACU Box 27868, Abilene, TX, 79699, USA

    Rebecca L. Hunter

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  1. Rebecca L. Hunter
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Hunter, R.L., Halanych, K.M. Phylogeography of the Antarctic planktotrophic brittle star Ophionotus victoriae reveals genetic structure inconsistent with early life history. Mar Biol 157, 1693–1704 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1443-3

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