High genetic diversity and limited genetic connectivity in 2 populations of an endemic and endangered coral species: Porites sverdrupi

Abstract

The coral Porites sverdrupi is the only scleractinian endemic to the Gulf of California. Over the last 2 decades its populations have been restricted to 3 areas, La Paz Bay, Loreto Bay, and Concepción Bay. As this species faces a high risk of extinction, there is an urgent need for biological, ecological, and genetic information for the guidance of conservation efforts. This is the first study on genetic diversity and connectivity in the species. For this, we analyzed coral colonies from Loreto Bay and Concepción Bay. Our results show that there is high genetic diversity in P. sverdrupi at both sites, with significant genetic structure between them. This condition is caused by a combination of short pelagic larval duration, low dispersal potential between the populations, and local adaptation. Our results emphasize the need for more research in order to establish adequate conservation strategies.

Successful sexual reproduction of the scleractinian coral Porites panamensis: Evidence of planktonic larvae and recruitment

“…In addition to the results obtained with molecular tools, the biogeographic distribution of the species needs to be considered. Porites sverdrupi has been characterized as an endemic species with limited geographic distribution in the Gulf of California, México, where the low coverage of this free‐living coral can only be observed at the San Lorenzo Channel in La Paz Bay (24°N), Santa Catalina Island in Loreto Bay (25°N), and El Requesón Beach in Concepción Bay (26°N) (López‐Pérez, Reyes‐Bonilla, & Calderón‐Aguilera, ; Martínez‐Castillo, Reyes‐Bonilla, & Rocha‐Olivares, ). By contrast, P. panamensis has a wide distribution along the ETP and is considered one of the main reef‐building species in the study sites (Hernández‐Zulueta et al., ).…”