No apparent genetic basis to demographic differences in scarid fishes across continental shelf of the Great Barrier Reef

Dudgeon, C.L., Gust, N., and Blair, D. (2000) No apparent genetic basis to demographic differences in scarid fishes across continental shelf of the Great Barrier Reef. Marine Biology, 137 (5-6). pp. 1059-1066.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002270000403
 
52
1


Abstract

Two species of parrot fish, Scarus frenatus and Chlorurus sordidus, are known to exhibit demographic and life-history differences across the continental shelf of the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). DNA sequences from the mitochondrial (mt) control region were analysed to determine whether there were genetic differences between the populations from the mid- and outer-shelf reefs. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated high levels of gene exchange for both species at a local scale between reefs on mid- and outer continental shelf positions (20 km apart) and at a broader scale along the length of the GBR province (>1000 km apart). There was no evidence to suggest that local differences in scarid life-history characteristics on the northern GBR have a genetic basis. Rather it appears more likely that phenotypically plastic responses to prevailing social and environmental conditions explain differences in the life-history characteristics of both taxa. However, analysis of genetic variation and historical demography revealed striking differences between the two species. S. frenatus haplotypes differed from one another at relatively few nucleotide sites (mean = 3.30), and the pairwise mismatch distribution suggested this species has undergone a population expansion within the limit of the resolution of the marker. C. sordidus haplotypes, however, differed from one another at a number of sites (mean = 7.67). Mismatch distribution analysis suggested that the population size of this species has remained at equilibrium over time. These patterns could also reflect differences in the metapopulation sizes or generation times between taxa. Some of the implications for fisheries management are discussed.

Item ID: 12938
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1432-1793
Date Deposited: 13 Dec 2010 02:08
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0699 Other Biological Sciences > 069999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 1
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page