Document of bibliographic reference 331143

BibliographicReference record

Type

Bibliographic resource

Type of document

Journal article

BibLvlCode

AS

Title

Genetic structure and diversity of the endangered bath sponge Spongia lamella

Abstract

Natural populations of Mediterranean commercial sponges have declined substantially over recent decades.

The present study explored the distribution of genetic diversity of the endangered bath sponge Spongia lamella along the western Mediterranean and the Portuguese coast.

Seven microsatellite markers were used to genotype 231 individuals scattered over nine populations. Basic genetic descriptors and population genetic analyses based on F_ST test, analyses of the molecular variance (AMOVA), Bayesian clustering, dissimilarity analysis of principal components, and demographic analyses were performed.

Genetic differentiation between populations was large and highly significant (global F_ST = 0.236, P < 0.001). AMOVA and Bayesian analyses showed genetic differentiation among the Atlantic, Balearic, and North Mediterranean areas (F_CT = 0.129, P = 0.003).

Restricted gene flow owing to short‐distance larval dispersal and hydrographical barriers may be playing an important role in genetic differentiation.

Recent bottlenecks were also detected for most populations of this sponge.

The high levels of inbreeding, sub‐structuring, and modest levels of genetic diversity that characterized populations of S. lamella (mean value of genetic diversity 0.512), may compromise its long‐term survival. Only one population, from the Gibraltar Strait, presented high levels of genetic diversity (Ceuta, genetic diversity = 0.657), indicating a hotspot of genetic diversity for this species with special relevance for its conservation.

Disease outbreaks and overexploitation may be the most important causes of genetic diversity impoverishment of S. lamella.

Future conservation guidelines should focus on preserving genetic diversity within genetically impoverished populations by limiting exploitation, and increasing population size. Transplanting specimens from areas with high values of genetic diversity to areas with low diversity values or to areas that have recently experienced demographic declines could reverse the local and global recession of this species.

WebOfScience code

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:000356977100006

Bibliographic citation

Perez-Portela, R.; Noyer, C.; Becerro, M.A. (2015). Genetic structure and diversity of the endangered bath sponge Spongia lamella. Aquat. Conserv. 25(3): 365-379. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2423

Topic

Marine

Is peer reviewed

true