Title: COMPARING GENETIC CONNECTIVITY AND GENE EXPRESSION ACROSS SHALLOW AND MESOPHOTIC REEF CORALS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

Abstract: Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) comprise reef environments between 30-150m and in some cases have coral communities similar to those found on shallow reefs. Glynn (1996) originally proposed that deeper reefs may act as a coral refuge by providing larvae to nearby shallow reefs. Key questions underlying this theory remain unanswered including: (1) How well are MCEs connected to shallow reefs, and (2) Can corals adapt their morphology and gene expression to match changing environmental stimuli? To address these questions, an integrative approach combining assessments of genetic connectivity, gene expression, and corallite morphometrics was employed to investigate Montastraea cavernosa, a ubiquitous depth-generalist species in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) and Pulley Ridge MCEs. Microsatellite analysis suggests panmixia between FGBNMS banks and relatively high connectivity across sites in the Caribbean and SW Florida, consistent with dominant current patterns in the Gulf of Mexico. Genetic differentiation in the Pulley Ridge population indicates relative isolation of M. cavernosa from other sites in the Gulf. Gene expression profiling was completed using a novel RNA-Seq pipeline, resolving whole-transcriptome differences among shallow and mesophotic corals at FGBNMS. This research is designed to provide data for improved regional management of deeper coral reef ecosystems and collaborative marine research with NOAA partners through the Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology.

Authors: Studivan MS, Voss JD

Presentation: Oral

Session: 15

Date: 06/23/16

Time: 16:30

Location: 317 A/B

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