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FREQUENT CLONALITY IN FUCOIDS (FUCUS RADICANS AND FUCUS VESICULOSUS; FUCALES, PHAEOPHYCEAE) IN THE BALTIC SEA(1)
Kerstin Johannesson1, Daniel Johansson1, Karl H Larsson1
1Department of Marine Ecology - Tjärnö, University of Gothenburg, SE-452 96 Strömstad, SwedenDepartment of Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, FI-20520 Åbo, FinlandDepartment of Botany, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Marine Ecology - Tjärnö, University of Gothenburg, SE-452 96 Strömstad, Sweden.
Journal of Phycology
|March 30, 2016
Summary
Asexual reproduction in Baltic Sea Fucus seaweed is more common in Fucus radicans than F. vesiculosus, with some clones widely distributed. This clonality impacts genetic diversity and has conservation implications.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Ecology
- Genetics
Background:
- Asexual reproduction via cloning can alter population genetics, evolutionary potential, and ecosystem functions, particularly in foundation species.
- Macroalgae in the genus Fucus typically reproduce sexually, but asexual recruitment of attached plants has recently been observed in Baltic Sea populations.
- This study investigates the prevalence and distribution of clonality in Baltic fucoids, specifically Fucus radicans and Fucus vesiculosus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the distribution and prevalence of clonality in Baltic Sea populations of Fucus radicans and Fucus vesiculosus.
- To analyze the genetic structure of these populations in relation to clonality.
- To understand the implications of clonality for the genetic diversity and conservation of these important habitat-forming species.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of Fucus radicans and Fucus vesiculosus from 13 sites across the Baltic Sea.
- Genotyping using nine polymorphic microsatellite loci to identify clonal lineages.
- Analysis of clonality prevalence, distribution, and genetic variation within populations.
Main Results:
- Clonality was more prevalent in Fucus radicans than F. vesiculosus, and generally more common in northern Baltic sites.
- While most clonal lineages were localized, one F. radicans lineage was widespread, dominating multiple populations.
- Populations with high clonality, particularly in F. radicans, exhibited reduced genetic variation, potentially due to biased gamete pools and genetic drift.
Conclusions:
- Asexual reproduction is a significant factor influencing the genetic structure of Baltic fucoid populations.
- The dominance of specific clonal lineages can lead to decreased genetic diversity, impacting the adaptive capacity of these species.
- Understanding clonality is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies for Baltic Sea habitat-forming fucoid algae.
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