Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/220062
Title: Global patterns and drivers of genetic diversity among marine habitat-forming species
Author: Figuerola-Ferrando, Laura
Barreiro, Aldo
Montero-Serra, Ignasi
Pagès-Escolà, Marta
Garrabou, Joaquim
Linares Prats, Cristina
Ledoux, Jean Baptiste
Keywords: Genètica animal
Ecologia marina
Àrees marines protegides
Animal genetics
Marine ecology
Marine protected areas
Issue Date: Jul-2023
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Abstract: Aim: Intraspecific genetic diversity is one of the pillars of biodiversity, supporting the resilience and evolutionary potential of populations. Yet, our knowledge regarding the patterns of genetic diversity at macroecological scales, so-called macrogenetic patterns, remains scarce, particularly in marine species. Marine habitat-forming (MHF) species are key species in some of the most diverse but also most impacted marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and marine forests. We characterize the patterns and drivers of genetic diversity in MHF species and provide a macrogenetic baseline, which can be used for conservation planning and for future genetic monitoring programmes. Location: Global. Time period: Contemporary. Major taxa studied: Bryozoans, hexacorals, hydrozoans, octocorals, seagrasses, seaweeds, sponges. Methods: We analysed a database including genetic diversity estimates based on microsatellites in more than 9,000 georeferenced populations from 140 species, which belong to seven animal and plant taxa. Focusing on expected heterozygosity, we used generalized additive models to test the effect of latitude, taxon, and conservation status. We tested the correlation between the species richness and the genetic diversity. Results: We reveal a significant but complex biogeographic pattern characterized by a bimodal latitudinal trend influenced by taxonomy. We also report a positive species genetic diversity correlation at the scale of the ecoregions. The difference in genetic diversity between protected and unprotected areas was not significant. Main conclusions: The contrasting results between MHF animals and plants suggest that the latitudinal genetic diversity patterns observed in MHF species are idiosyncratic, as reported in terrestrial species. Our results support the existence of shared drivers between genetic and species diversities, which remain to be formally identified. Concerning, these macrogenetic patterns are not aligned from the existing network of marine protected areas. Providing the first macrogenetic baseline in MHF species, this study echoes the call regarding the need to consider genetic diversity in biodiversity assessments and management.
Note: Reproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13685
It is part of: Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2023, vol. 32, num.7, p. 1218-1229
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/220062
Related resource: https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13685
ISSN: 1466-822X
Appears in Collections:Articles publicats en revistes (Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals)
Articles publicats en revistes (Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio))

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