Title: POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE CORAL, AGARICIA LAMARCKI FROM SW PUERTO RICO AND U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

Abstract: Drastic declines in coral abundance and health have been documented worldwide within the past few decades, threats to these ecosystems range from both local and global inputs. Shallow coral reefs are highly affected, conversely, deeper reefs below ~30 meters, otherwise known as mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) remain relatively healthy. The Deep Reef Refugia Hypothesis (DRRH) has been proposed to test if MCEs might be acting as larval resources for the highly impacted shallow reefs, although a bulk of contemporary studies suggests a lack of gene flow between shallow and deep reefs across many coral taxa. However, within southwestern Puerto Rico plating corals, Agaricia spp., displays both a wide depth distribution, aids significantly in reef growth and habitat formation and encompasses several species and related taxa, yet no specific population information is available in this genus. This study aims to estimate structure and/or connectivity of a particularly conspicuous member of the genus, A. lamarcki from horizontally and vertically segregated populations across southwestern Puerto Rico (PR) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). By using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by double digestion restriction site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD), we will be testing the DRRH, as well as infer levels of gene flow from both local and distant populations across the PR and USVI platform. Information from this investigation will be used to aid managers in establishing effective Marine Protected Areas and highlighting reefs with high genetic diversity.

Authors: Hammerman NM, Schizas NV, Alfaro M

Presentation: Poster (#336)

Session: 29

Date: 06/21/16

Time: 18:15 – 19:45

Location: Poster/Exhibit Hall

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