Population structure and connectivity in the Mediterranean sponge Ircinia fasciculata are affected by mass mortalities and hybridization

Environmental conditions can shape genetic and morphological divergence. Release of new habitats during historical environmental changes was a major driver of evolutionary diversification. Here, forces shaping population structure and ecotype differentiation (‘pelagic’ and ‘coastal’) of bottlenose dolphins in the North-east Atlantic were investigated using complementary evolutionary and ecological approaches. Inference of population demographic history using approximate Bayesian computation indicated that coastal populations were likely founded by the Atlantic pelagic population after the Last Glacial Maxima probably as a result of newly available coastal ecological niches. Pelagic dolphins from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea likely diverged during a period of high productivity in the Mediterranean Sea. Genetic differentiation between coastal and pelagic ecotypes may be maintained by niche specializations, as indicated by stable isotope and stomach content analyses, and social behaviour. The two ecotypes were only weakly morphologically segregated in contrast to other parts of the World Ocean. This may be linked to weak contrasts between coastal and pelagic habitats and/or a relatively recent divergence. We suggest that ecological opportunity to specialize is a major driver of genetic and morphological divergence. Combining genetic, ecological and morphological approaches is essential to understanding the population structure of mobile and cryptic species.

Download Full-text

Sponge community variation along the Apulian coasts (Otranto Strait) over a pluri-decennial time span. Does water warming drive a sponge diversity increasing in the Mediterranean Sea?

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315419000651 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (7) ◽

pp. 1519-1534 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gabriele Costa ◽

Giorgio Bavestrello ◽

Valerio Micaroni ◽

Maurizio Pansini ◽

Francesca Strano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Benthic Communities ◽

Time Span ◽

Biodiversity Monitoring ◽

Sponge Diversity ◽

Community Variation ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Changes Over Time ◽

Mass Mortalities

AbstractClimate change and heavy anthropic pressures are giving rise to important modifications in the rocky benthic communities of the Mediterranean Sea. In particular, sponge assemblages have been deeply affected due to the susceptibility of some species to dramatic phenomena such as mass mortalities or widespread variations in the abundance of other species. For this reason, long-term biodiversity monitoring of the sponge assemblages is important for understanding the direction of changes over time. We studied the sponge fauna living off Tricase Porto (Otranto Strait) and compared its composition with the results of a study conducted in the same area 50 years ago. The comparison indicated that the sponge diversity of this area has strongly increased in the last 50 years and a large number of the sponges recorded in the old survey are still present in the recent community. This evidence matches with other results obtained from different localities of the Mediterranean Sea indicating an increase of sponge diversity, possibly due to the present water warming. The description of two new Demosponge species, Diplastrella boeroi sp. nov. and Spirastrella angulata sp. nov., is also provided.

Download Full-text

Population structure of Brachidontes pharaonis (P. Fisher, 1870) (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) in the Mediterranean Sea, and evolution of a novel mtDNA polymorphism

Marine Biology ◽

10.1007/s00227-006-0330-4 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 150 (1) ◽

pp. 89-101 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Margherita Sirna Terranova ◽

Sabrina Lo Brutto ◽

Marco Arculeo ◽

Jeffry B. Mitton

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Mtdna Polymorphism

Download Full-text

Population size, center–periphery, and seed dispersers’ effects on the genetic diversity and population structure of the Mediterranean relict shrub Cneorum tricoccon

Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1002/ece3.2940 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (18) ◽

pp. 7231-7242 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ana Lázaro‐Nogal ◽

Silvia Matesanz ◽

Alfredo García‐Fernández ◽

Anna Traveset ◽

Fernando Valladares

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Structure ◽

Population Size ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Seed Dispersers ◽

Center Periphery

Download Full-text

Comparison of the population structure and dynamics of Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) between exploited and unexploited areas in the Mediterranean Sea

Fisheries Research ◽

10.1016/j.fishres.2005.05.007 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 22-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

G. D’Onghia ◽

F. Capezzuto ◽

Ch. Mytilineou ◽

P. Maiorano ◽

K. Kapiris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Mediterranean Sea ◽

Structure And Dynamics ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Population Structure And Dynamics ◽

Aristeus Antennatus

Download Full-text

POPULATION STRUCTURE, DYNAMICS, AND PRODUCTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN MACROALGA CODIUM BURSA (CHLOROPHYCEAE)

Journal of Phycology ◽

10.1046/j.1529-8817.1998.340918.x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 918-924 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Beatriz Vidondo ◽

Carlos M. Duarte

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Structure Dynamics ◽

The Mediterranean

Download Full-text

Restoring biodiversity in the Mediterranean coralligenous - the MERCES project

10.7287/peerj.preprints.26813 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Carlo Cerrano ◽

Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli ◽

Joana Boavida ◽

Eliana Ferretti ◽

Andrea Gari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Complexity ◽

Coralline Algae ◽

Mediterranean Species ◽

Restoration Success ◽

Funded Project ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Taxonomic Groups ◽

Mass Mortalities ◽

Generation Sequencing ◽

The Eu

The temperate coralligenous bioconcretions are mainly built by the accumulation of encrusting coralline algae growing at low irradiance levels. They harbour approximately 10% of marine Mediterranean species (about 1600 species), including long-lived algae and invertebrates. Enhanced by climate change, several pressures affect coralligenous assemblages, leading to increased frequency of mass mortalities and dramatic loss of habitat complexity and biodiversity. The EU-funded project MERCES is developing innovative methodologies to restore macroinvertebrate habitat-forming species from three key taxonomic groups: Cnidaria/Anthozoa, Porifera/Demospongiae and Bryozoa. Restoration protocols are based on fragments/transplants from donor organisms and recruitment-enhancing devices. Collaboration with volunteers (divers and diving operators) in several phases of field activities proved crucial both to minimize underwater working time and to increase the sense of stewardship in a major users’ segment. Additionally, the MERCES project explores how to enhance restoration success by identifying the mechanisms conferring resistance to thermal stress in gorgonians. This is pursued by coupling thermotolerance experiments with next generation sequencing tools and facilitation processes (by comparing the outcomes of mono-specific vs. multi-specific transplanted assemblages). Results will be included in the strategic planning of restoration efforts in the Mediterranean in the context of global change.

Download Full-text