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Regional genetic differentiation among northern high-latitude island populations of a broadcast-spawning coral

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Abstract

Knowledge of genetic connectivity is useful for understanding of the recovery potential of coral populations after various disturbances, such as coral mass bleaching. Population genetic studies in corals are mostly restricted to Australian and Caribbean species; studies in the northern Pacific are relatively limited. Using microsatellite markers, the population genetics of Acropora sp. 1 was examined between two regions in Japan, the Okinawa-Aka and Bonin Islands, which are separated by approximately 1,500 km of open water in a high-latitude area. Statistically significant but small genetic differentiation in Acropora sp. 1 was detected between and within these regions. Genetic diversity was not obviously reduced in populations of the Bonin Islands, which are relatively isolated. Thus, some level of connectivity appears to be maintained between the two regions, likely because of the high dispersal ability of this broadcast spawner.

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Acknowledgments

This work was partially supported by JSPS KAKENHI Nos. 20121002, 21247006, and 21570021 to KS. Also, we are grateful to staffs in Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 3422 Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa, 905-0227, Japan

    Y. Nakajima, A. Nishikawa, A. Iguchi & K. Sakai

  2. Asian Natural Environmental Science Center, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-8 Midori-cho, Nishitokyo, Tokyo, 188-0002, Japan

    Y. Nakajima

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  1. Y. Nakajima
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  2. A. Nishikawa
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  3. A. Iguchi
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  4. K. Sakai
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Correspondence to Y. Nakajima.

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Communicated by Biology Editor Dr. Ruth Gates

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Nakajima, Y., Nishikawa, A., Iguchi, A. et al. Regional genetic differentiation among northern high-latitude island populations of a broadcast-spawning coral. Coral Reefs 31, 1125–1133 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-012-0932-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-012-0932-x

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