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Cryptic Barriers to Gene Flow Driven by Deep-Sea Reproductive Strategy in Direct-Developing Pandalid Shrimp
Junta Fujita1, Hiroki Kise2,3, Kodai Gibu3,4
1Kyoto Prefectural Fukuchiyama High School, Fukuchiyama, Kyoto, Japan.
Molecular Ecology
|February 11, 2026
Summary
Deep-sea shrimp with large eggs exhibit limited dispersal, leading to genetic differentiation and speciation. This reproductive strategy in cold-water species drives biodiversity in deep-sea benthic communities.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Evolutionary Genetics
- Deep-Sea Ecology
Background:
- Deep-sea crustaceans often produce larger eggs as an adaptation to food scarcity, enhancing offspring survival and substrate adherence.
- Limited dispersal in deep-sea environments is hypothesized to increase genetic differentiation among populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between reproductive strategy and genetic patterns in deep-sea crustaceans.
- To examine genetic differentiation among populations of Pandalus coccinatus and Pandalus spinosior.
- To assess congruence between morphological traits and genetic patterns.
Main Methods:
- Collected 24-30 specimens from three locations for each species.
- Analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences.
- Employed MIG-seq for genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and examined diagnostic morphological traits.
Main Results:
- Found significant genetic differentiation among populations, supporting the hypothesis of limited dispersal.
- Demonstrated congruence between morphological taxonomy and genetic patterns.
- Revealed a conceptual framework linking deep-sea adaptations to reduced dispersal, genetic differentiation, and speciation.
Conclusions:
- Deep-sea adaptations, such as direct development and large eggs, reduce larval dispersal, promoting genetic differentiation and allopatric speciation.
- Benthic deep-sea animals diversify due to adaptive traits and environmental barriers, contributing to high biodiversity in these ecosystems.
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