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Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Coral Research by Exploring Climate Change Resistance, Ex Situ Aquaculture, and Reproduction Strategies
Published on: June 23, 2023
Microsatellite markers for multiple Pocillopora genetic lineages offer new insights about coral populations
Yuichi Nakajima1, Patricia H Wepfer2, Shohei Suzuki3
1Marine Biophysics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Tancha 1919-1, Onna, Okinawa, 904-0495, Japan. yuichi.nakajima@oist.jp.
Abstract:
Population genetics of the coral genus Pocillopora have been more intensively studied than those of any other reef-building taxon. However, recent investigations have revealed that the current morphological classification is inadequate to represent genetic lineages. In this study, we isolated and characterized novel microsatellite loci from morphological Pocillopora meandrina (Type 1) and Pocillopora acuta (Type 5). Furthermore, we characterized previously reported microsatellite loci. A total of 27 loci (13 novel loci) proved useful for population genetic analyses at two sites in the Ryukyu Archipelago, in the northwestern Pacific. Clonal diversity differed in each genetic lineage. Genetic structure suggested by microsatellites corresponded to clusters in a phylogenetic tree constructed from a mitochondrial open reading frame (mtORF). In addition, we found an unknown mitochondrial haplotype of this mtORF. These microsatellite loci will be useful for studies of connectivity and genetic diversity of Pocillopora populations, and will also support coral reef conservation.
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