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Extreme genetic diversity and temporal rather than spatial partitioning in a widely distributed coral reef fish

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Abstract

Mitochondrial control region (HVR-1) sequences were used to identify patterns of genetic structure and diversity in Naso vlamingii, a widespread coral reef fish with a long evolutionary history. We examined 113 individuals from eight locations across the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Our aims were to determine the spatial scale at which population partitioning occurred and then to evaluate the extent to which either vicariance and/or dispersal events have shaped the population structure of N. vlamingii. The analysis produced several unexpected findings. Firstly, the genetic structure of this species was temporal rather than spatial. Secondly, there was no evidence of a barrier to dispersal throughout the vast distribution range. Apparently larvae of this species traverse vicariance barriers that inhibit inter-oceanic migration of other widespread reef fish taxa. Thirdly, an unusual life history and long evolutionary history was associated with a population structure that was unique amongst coral reef fishes in terms of the magnitude and pattern of genetic diversity (haplotype diversity, h = 1.0 and nucleotide diversity π = 13.6%). In addition to these unique characteristics, there was no evidence of isolation by distance (r = 0.458, R 2 = 0.210, P = 0.078) as has also been shown for some other widespread reef species. However, some reductions in gene flow were observed among and within Ocean basins [Indian–Pacific analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), Φ st = 0.0766, P < 0.05; West Indian–East Indian–Pacific AMOVA Φ st = 0.079, P < 0.05]. These findings are contrasted with recent studies of coral reef fishes that imply a greater degree of spatial structuring in coral reef fish populations than would be expected from the dispersive nature of their life cycles. We conclude that increased taxon sampling of coral reef fishes for phylogeographic analysis will provide an extended view of the ecological and evolutionary processes shaping coral reef fish diversity at both ends of the life history spectrum.

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Acknowledgments

This manuscript was improved by comments from three anonymous reviewers. The authors acknowledge funding and logistic support from The National Geographic Society, The Queensland Government/Smithsonian Institution Collaborative Research Program on Reef Fishes, The Seychelles Fishing Authority, Cocos Keeling and Christmas Island National Parks Department of Environment and Heritage Australia, The Australian Institute of Marine Science, The Lizard Island Research Station and the James Cook University internal funding scheme. Specimens were provided by A. Maypa and A. Alcala (Silliman University Angelo King Centre for Research and Environmental Management, Philippines), M. Meekan (Australian Institute of Marine Sciences), R. Robertson (STRI), J. Ackerman, W. Robbins, M. Srinivasan and G.P. Jones (JCU). This project benefited from discussions with S. Planes, R. Robertson, B. Bowen and G. Russ. The work was carried out under James Cook University Ethics Approval No. A503.

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  1. School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    O. Selma Klanten, J. Howard Choat & Lynne van Herwerden

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  1. O. Selma Klanten
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Correspondence to O. Selma Klanten.

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Communicated by M.S. Johnson, Crawley

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Klanten, O.S., Choat, J.H. & van Herwerden, L. Extreme genetic diversity and temporal rather than spatial partitioning in a widely distributed coral reef fish. Mar Biol 150, 659–670 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-006-0372-7

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