Journal
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Volume 106, Issue 5, Pages 1473-1478Publisher
NATL ACAD SCIENCES
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0806804106
Keywords
gene flow; microsatellite; ocean circulation; pelagic stages
Categories
Funding
- Junta de Andalucia [2003X880_1]
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas of the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion [2007301022]
- Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia
- Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia [CTM2007-66635]
- Ministerio de Medio Ambiente [119/2003]
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The spatial distribution of neutral genetic diversity is mainly influenced by barriers to dispersal. The nature of such barriers varies according to the dispersal means and capabilities of the organisms concerned. Although these barriers are often obvious on land, in the ocean they can be more difficult to identify. Determining the relative influence of physical and biotic factors on genetic connectivity remains a major challenge for marine ecologists. Here, we compare gene flow patterns of 7 littoral fish species from 6 families with a range of early-life-history traits sampled at the same geographic locations across common environmental discontinuities in the form of oceanic fronts in the Western Mediterranean. We show that these fronts represent major barriers to gene flow and have a strong influence on the population genetic structure of some fish species. We also found no significant relation between the early-life-history traits most commonly investigated (egg type, pelagic larval duration, and inshore-offshore spawning) and gene flow patterns, suggesting that other life-history factors should deserve attention. The fronts analyzed and the underlying physical mechanisms are not site-specific but common among the oceans, suggesting the generality of our findings.
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