Clone wars:asexual reproduction dominates in the invasive range of Tubastraea spp. (Anthozoa: Scleractinia) in the South-Atlantic Ocean

Autor(es)

Cruz Capel, Katia Cristina ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Toonen, Robert J. ^[2] ; Rachid, Caio T. C. C. ^[4] ; Creed, Joel C. ^{[5, 3]} ; Kitahara, Marcelo V. ^{[6, 3, 7]} ; Forsman, Zac ^[2] ; Zilberberg, Carla ^{[1, 3]}

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Dept Zool, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[2] Univ Hawaii Manoa, Hawaii Inst Marine Biol, Sch Ocean & Earth Sci & Technol, Kaneohe, HI - USA

^[3] Coral Sol Res Technol Dev & Innovat Network, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[4] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Microbiol Paulo Goes, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[5] Univ Estado Rio De Janeiro, Dept Ecol, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[6] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Biol Marinha, Sao Sebastiao - Brazil

^[7] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Mar, Santos - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PeerJ; v. 5, OCT 5 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 7

Resumo

Although the invasive azooxanthellate corals Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis are spreading quickly and outcompeting native species in the Atlantic Ocean, there is little information regarding the genetic structure and path of introduction for these species. Here we present the first data on genetic diversity and clonal structure from these two species using a new set of microsatellite markers. High proportions of clones were observed, indicating that asexual reproduction has a major role in the local population dynamics and, therefore, represents one of the main reasons for the invasion success. Although no significant population structure was found, results suggest the occurrence of multiple invasions for T. coccinea and also that both species are being transported along the coast by vectors such as oil platforms and monobouys, spreading these invasive species. In addition to the description of novel microsatellite markers, this study sheds new light into the invasive process of Tubastraea. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/01332-0 - Filogenômica da ordem Scleractinia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa): relações entre evolução da ordem e mudanças climáticas
• Beneficiário: Marcelo Visentini Kitahara
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa de Pesquisa sobre Mudanças Climáticas Globais - Jovens Pesquisadores