Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Seascape drivers of Macrocystis pyrifera population genetic structure in the northeast Pacific

journal contribution
posted on 2015-10-01, 00:00 authored by M L Johansson, F Alberto, D C Reed, P T Raimondi, N C Coelho, Mary YoungMary Young, P T Drake, C A Edwards, K Cavanaugh, J Assis, L B Ladah, T W Bell, J A Coyer, D A Siegel, E A Serrão
At small spatial and temporal scales, genetic differentiation is largely controlled by constraints on gene flow, while genetic diversity across a species' distribution is shaped on longer temporal and spatial scales. We assess the hypothesis that oceanographic transport and other seascape features explain different scales of genetic structure of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera. We followed a hierarchical approach to perform a microsatellite-based analysis of genetic differentiation in Macrocystis across its distribution in the northeast Pacific. We used seascape genetic approaches to identify large-scale biogeographic population clusters and investigate whether they could be explained by oceanographic transport and other environmental drivers. We then modelled population genetic differentiation within clusters as a function of oceanographic transport and other environmental factors. Five geographic clusters were identified: Alaska/Canada, central California, continental Santa Barbara, California Channel Islands and mainland southern California/Baja California peninsula. The strongest break occurred between central and southern California, with mainland Santa Barbara sites forming a transition zone between the two. Breaks between clusters corresponded approximately to previously identified biogeographic breaks, but were not solely explained by oceanographic transport. An isolation-by-environment (IBE) pattern was observed where the northern and southern Channel Islands clustered together, but not with closer mainland sites, despite the greater distance between them. The strongest environmental association with this IBE pattern was observed with light extinction coefficient, which extends suitable habitat to deeper areas. Within clusters, we found support for previous results showing that oceanographic connectivity plays an important role in the population genetic structure of Macrocystis in the Northern hemisphere.

History

Journal

Molecular ecology

Volume

24

Issue

19

Pagination

4866 - 4885

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Location

Chichester, Eng.

eISSN

1365-294X

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article; C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2015, John Wiley & Sons Ltd