Population genetic structure of the stony coral Acropora tenuis shows high but variable connectivity in East Africa
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Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the genetic diversity, population structure and connectivity of the broadcast‐spawning coral Acropora tenuis (Cnidaria; Scleractinia; Acroporidae). Based on the long pelagic larval duration (PLD) of the species, long‐distance dispersal resulting in high connectivity among populations is hypothesized. Location: East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania; 2.5°S ~ 10°S) Methods: A total of 269 samples were collected from 11 sample sites in Kenya and Tanzania spanning a distance of 900 km. The coral fragments were genotyped using seven microsatellite markers. Analyses included population genetic estimations of diversity and population differentiation, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), Bayesian clustering approaches and testing for isolation by distance (IBD). Results: Moderate, but significant, genetic structure was found when comparing all sample sites, but IBD could not be detected. Based on Bayesian cluster analyses three groups of samples sites could be identified: (1) Kenya and northern Tanzania, (2) southern Tanzania and (3) sample sites located in the Zanzibar and Pemba channels. Main conclusions: High connectivity can be explained by the long‐distance dispersal capacity of A. tenuis and by the influence of the northbound East African Coastal Current facilitating dispersal by effectively spreading larvae along the coast. Oceanographic characteristics rather than distance are factors that determine connectivity among populations of A. tenuis in Kenya and Tanzania. No clear genetic break was identified. However, variable connectivity between sample sites does occur, with limited connectivity of the sample sites Misali and Stonetown.
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- Authors
- van der Ven, R. M., Triest, L., De Ryck, D. J. R., Mwaura, J. M., Mohammed, M. S., & Kochzius, M.
- Affiliations
- Marine Biology Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) 1050 Brussels Belgium
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE)
- Laboratory of Plant Biology and Nature Management Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) 1050 Brussels Belgium
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KE)
- State University of Zanzibar (TZ)
- Venue
- Journal of Biogeography
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2015-10-26
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 510-519
- ISSN
- 0305-0270 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2699
- OpenAlex
- W1820467105
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 68
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 4
- FWCI
- 3.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- research.wur.nl
- Locations
- Journal of Biogeography (publishedVersion)
- Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (submittedVersion)
- VUBIR (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (1501612N)
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (OZR2068BOF)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic diversity and population structure
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Keywords
- Acropora tenuis, Scleractinia, population structure, larval connectivity, long-distance dispersal, broadcast spawning, genetic diversity, isolation by distance, Kenya, Tanzania
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