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<p>As coral reef ecosystems continue to decline, effective management and restoration are imperative and require consideration of spatial scales of dispersal and connectivity of coral populations. The octocoral genus <i>Heliopora</i> de Blainville, 1830, also known as blue corals, are poised to become important reef builders particularly under conditions of increasing ocean temperatures. <i>Heliopora</i> are more tolerant to thermal stress and other disturbances than colonies of most scleractinian corals. Thus, colonies of <i>Heliopora</i> can dominate large areas of reefs despite their limited potential for larval dispersal and have become increasingly prevalent in certain reefs across the Indo-Pacific. In this study, we examined lineage divergence, genotypic diversity, and population connectivity of two growth forms (i.e., columnar and laminar) of <i>Heliopora coerulea</i> (Pallas, 1766) species complex across the western Philippines using four microsatellite loci and 1610 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers genotyped using a RADseq approach. The two morphotypes segregated into two genetic clusters (lineages) with limited evidence of contemporary hybridization despite occurring in sympatry, supporting the existence of two species. Outlier SNP loci mapped to genes putatively associated with skeletal formation, regulation of growth morphology, reproduction, and stress response, providing insight into potential mechanisms for ecological divergence between lineages. Clonal richness and levels of genetic differentiation varied between the two lineages indicating potential differences in the propensity for asexual versus sexual reproduction, adaptation, and traits relating to larval dispersal potential. Both lineages exhibit limited genetic connectivity across western Philippine reefs, with larval dispersal unlikely beyond scales of tens of kilometers. These results will be helpful to identify populations of management or conservation concern, as well as populations that may be crucial sources of demographic input or genetic diversity for <i>Heliopora</i> and other coral species with similar dispersal ranges across the western Philippines.</p>

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Genomic divergence and limited dispersal of blue coral, Heliopora lineages, across the western Philippine coast revealed by microsatellite and SNP markers

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月24日

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  • Inggat Laya N. Casilagan,
  • Iris Diana Yu,
  • Marylette B. Roa,
  • Rachel Ravago-Gotanco

摘要

As coral reef ecosystems continue to decline, effective management and restoration are imperative and require consideration of spatial scales of dispersal and connectivity of coral populations. The octocoral genus Heliopora de Blainville, 1830, also known as blue corals, are poised to become important reef builders particularly under conditions of increasing ocean temperatures. Heliopora are more tolerant to thermal stress and other disturbances than colonies of most scleractinian corals. Thus, colonies of Heliopora can dominate large areas of reefs despite their limited potential for larval dispersal and have become increasingly prevalent in certain reefs across the Indo-Pacific. In this study, we examined lineage divergence, genotypic diversity, and population connectivity of two growth forms (i.e., columnar and laminar) of Heliopora coerulea (Pallas, 1766) species complex across the western Philippines using four microsatellite loci and 1610 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers genotyped using a RADseq approach. The two morphotypes segregated into two genetic clusters (lineages) with limited evidence of contemporary hybridization despite occurring in sympatry, supporting the existence of two species. Outlier SNP loci mapped to genes putatively associated with skeletal formation, regulation of growth morphology, reproduction, and stress response, providing insight into potential mechanisms for ecological divergence between lineages. Clonal richness and levels of genetic differentiation varied between the two lineages indicating potential differences in the propensity for asexual versus sexual reproduction, adaptation, and traits relating to larval dispersal potential. Both lineages exhibit limited genetic connectivity across western Philippine reefs, with larval dispersal unlikely beyond scales of tens of kilometers. These results will be helpful to identify populations of management or conservation concern, as well as populations that may be crucial sources of demographic input or genetic diversity for Heliopora and other coral species with similar dispersal ranges across the western Philippines.