Ocean climate connectivity and the future range shifts of marine biodiversity.

Shifting distribution to track suitable climate is a potential strategy for marine species to cope with ocean warming. Yet, the ability of species to successfully reach future climate analogs largely depends on the length of the paths that connect them, and on the exposure of these paths to extreme climates during this transition. Here, we evaluate marine climate connectivity for trajectories between climatic analogs on a global scale. We find that while movement between climatic analogs is more intense in the northern seas of the planet, they require longer trajectories to reach climatic analogs, with high climatic exposure to extreme conditions. On the contrary, the southern seas host areas that have closer climatic analogs, further subjected to a lower exposure to dissimilar climates. These patterns are mirrored in the connectivity properties of the global marine protected areas, highlighting sites which might fail to facilitate connectivity to future climates. Our results suggest that potential shifts between climatic analogs might be subjected to more limitations than those suggested by previous studies, with marine connectivity offering novel insights for the establishment of climate-wise conservation future networks.

Foraging ecology of the amphibious mudskipper Periophthalmus chrysospilos (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae)

The food composition and feeding ecology of fishes living in the intertidal zone play an essential role in understanding the energetic connectivity between terrestrial and aquatic systems. Periophthalmus chrysospilos is an amphibious fish species occurring in the intertidal zone, but data on its diet and foraging ecology is still poorly known. This study on Ps. chrysospilos was carried out from April 2020 to March 2021 at four sites within the Mekong Delta estuary to define the influence of spatio-temporal factors on the diet of this species. The diet composition and relative gut lengths (RGLs) of Ps. chrysospilos were analysed in relation to four parameters—sex, size, site, and season. A total of 1,031 individuals were collected, and their digestive tract lengths were used to calculate the RGL. The digestive tracts of only 546 individuals were with food items (approximately 1:1 of empty vs full digestive tract) and were subsequently used for further analyses. The ranges in total length and weight in both adult and juvenile individuals were 3.4–10.6 cm and 0.38–14.13 g, respectively. The RGL values varied with season, fish size and site, but was always lower than 1, indicating a predominantly carnivorous diet. The variability of food items found within the digestive tracts demonstrated its adaptability in pursuing prey items within the limits of the littoral zone, and its importance as a conduit of terrestrial-marine connectivity. This species is characterised as an opportunistic mesopredator feeding primarily on Acetes spp., Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp., and rarely on Polychaeta and Actinopterygii. Other items found within the digestive tract are Mollusca, and detritus. The diet composition of Ps. chrysospilos did not vary with season and size, but changed with sex and site parameters. Uca spp. contributed to the sexual variation in dietary component, whereas Mollusca, Uca spp., Dolichoderus sp. and detritus, were drivers for spatial variation in the dietary component. The research provides fundamental information on diet composition and feeding strategy, as well as contributes towards knowledge on foraging ecology and resource use by intertidal animal communities.

Spatial and temporal genetic structure of the New Zealand scallop Pecten novaezelandiae: A multidisciplinary perspective

<p>Knowledge about the population genetic structure of species and the factors shaping such patterns is crucial for effective management and conservation. The complexity of New Zealand’s marine environment presents a challenge for management and the classification of its marine biogeographic areas. As such, it is an interesting system to investigate marine connectivity dynamics and the evolutionary processes shaping the population structure of marine species. An accurate description of spatial and temporal patterns of dispersal and population structure requires the use of tools capable of incorporating the variability of the mechanisms involved. However, these techniques are yet to be broadly applied to New Zealand marine organisms. This study used genetic markers to assess the genetic variation of the endemic New Zealand scallop, Pecten novaezelandiae, at different spatial and temporal scales. A multidisciplinary approach was used integrating genetic with environmental data (seascape genetics) and hydrodynamic modelling tools. P. novaezelandiae supports important commercial, recreational and customary fisheries but there is no previous information about its genetic structure. Therefore, twelve microsatellite markers were developed for this study (Chapter 2). Samples (n=952) were collected from 15 locations to determine the genetic structure across the distribution range of P. novaezelandiae. The low genetic structure detected in this study is expected given the recent evolutionary history, the large reproductive potential and the pelagic larval duration of the species (approximately 3 weeks). A significant isolation by distance signal and a degree of differentiation from north to south was apparent, but this structure conflicted with some evidence of panmixia. A latitudinal genetic diversity gradient was observed that might reflect the colonisation and extinction events and insufficient time to reach migration-drift equilibrium during a recent range expansion (Chapter 3). A seascape genetic approach was used to test for associations between patterns of genetic variation in P. novaezelandiae and environmental variables (three geospatial and six environmental variables). Although the geographic distance between populations was an important variable explaining the genetic variation among populations, it appears that levels of genetic differentiation are not a simple function of distance. Evidence suggests that some environmental factors such as freshwater discharge and suspended particulate matter can be contributing to the patterns of genetic differentiation of P. novaezelandiae in New Zealand (Chapter 4). Dispersal of P. novaezelandiae was investigated at a small spatial and temporal scale in the Coromandel fishery using genetic markers integrated with hydrodynamic modelling. For the spatial analysis, samples (n=402) were collected in 2012 from 5 locations and for the temporal analysis samples (n=383) were collected in 2012 and 2014 from 3 locations. Results showed small but significant spatial and temporal genetic differentiation, suggesting that the Coromandel fishery does not form a single panmictic unit with free gene flow and supporting a model of source-sink population dynamics (Chapter 5). The importance of using multidisciplinary approaches at different spatial and temporal scales is widely recognized as a means to better understand the complex processes affecting marine connectivity. The outcomes of this study highlight the importance of incorporating these different approaches, provide vital information to assist in effective management and conservation of P. novaezelandiae and contribute to our understanding of evolutionary processes shaping population structure of marine species.</p>

Spatial and temporal genetic structure of the New Zealand scallop Pecten novaezelandiae: A multidisciplinary perspective

<p>Knowledge about the population genetic structure of species and the factors shaping such patterns is crucial for effective management and conservation. The complexity of New Zealand’s marine environment presents a challenge for management and the classification of its marine biogeographic areas. As such, it is an interesting system to investigate marine connectivity dynamics and the evolutionary processes shaping the population structure of marine species. An accurate description of spatial and temporal patterns of dispersal and population structure requires the use of tools capable of incorporating the variability of the mechanisms involved. However, these techniques are yet to be broadly applied to New Zealand marine organisms. This study used genetic markers to assess the genetic variation of the endemic New Zealand scallop, Pecten novaezelandiae, at different spatial and temporal scales. A multidisciplinary approach was used integrating genetic with environmental data (seascape genetics) and hydrodynamic modelling tools. P. novaezelandiae supports important commercial, recreational and customary fisheries but there is no previous information about its genetic structure. Therefore, twelve microsatellite markers were developed for this study (Chapter 2). Samples (n=952) were collected from 15 locations to determine the genetic structure across the distribution range of P. novaezelandiae. The low genetic structure detected in this study is expected given the recent evolutionary history, the large reproductive potential and the pelagic larval duration of the species (approximately 3 weeks). A significant isolation by distance signal and a degree of differentiation from north to south was apparent, but this structure conflicted with some evidence of panmixia. A latitudinal genetic diversity gradient was observed that might reflect the colonisation and extinction events and insufficient time to reach migration-drift equilibrium during a recent range expansion (Chapter 3). A seascape genetic approach was used to test for associations between patterns of genetic variation in P. novaezelandiae and environmental variables (three geospatial and six environmental variables). Although the geographic distance between populations was an important variable explaining the genetic variation among populations, it appears that levels of genetic differentiation are not a simple function of distance. Evidence suggests that some environmental factors such as freshwater discharge and suspended particulate matter can be contributing to the patterns of genetic differentiation of P. novaezelandiae in New Zealand (Chapter 4). Dispersal of P. novaezelandiae was investigated at a small spatial and temporal scale in the Coromandel fishery using genetic markers integrated with hydrodynamic modelling. For the spatial analysis, samples (n=402) were collected in 2012 from 5 locations and for the temporal analysis samples (n=383) were collected in 2012 and 2014 from 3 locations. Results showed small but significant spatial and temporal genetic differentiation, suggesting that the Coromandel fishery does not form a single panmictic unit with free gene flow and supporting a model of source-sink population dynamics (Chapter 5). The importance of using multidisciplinary approaches at different spatial and temporal scales is widely recognized as a means to better understand the complex processes affecting marine connectivity. The outcomes of this study highlight the importance of incorporating these different approaches, provide vital information to assist in effective management and conservation of P. novaezelandiae and contribute to our understanding of evolutionary processes shaping population structure of marine species.</p>

Marine Connectivity Conservation Rules of Thumb for MPA and MPA Network Design

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are widely used as place-based protective measures for restoring and safeguarding marine biodiversity. When ecological connectivity is taken into account during design and management, the results can lead to more effective and resilient MPAs and MPA networks. This publication provides 13 ‘Rules of Thumb’ to support more consistent efforts by MPA managers and marine conservation professionals to implement connectivity conservation and better measure progress towards global conservation targets. These purpose-built tools are intended to inform more effective management and protection of oceans and coasts by covering a diversity of science and policy issues. They can also be used to progress system-based marine conservation as an essential component of national, transboundary, and global policies that establish greater connectivity across borders and at larger scales.

Uncovering marine connectivity through sea surface temperature

A foundational paradigm in marine ecology is that Oceans are divided into distinct ecoregions demarking unique assemblages of species where the characteristics of water masses, and quantity and quality of environmental resources are generally similar. In most of the world Ocean, defining these ecoregions is complicated by data sparseness away of coastal areas and by the large-scale dispersal potential of ocean currents. Furthermore, ocean currents and water characteristics change in space and time on scales pertinent to the transitions of biological communities, and predictions of community susceptibility to these changes remain elusive. Given recent advances in data availability from satellite observations that are indirectly related to ocean currents, we are now poised to define ecoregions that meaningfully delimit marine biological communities based on their connectivity and to follow their evolution over time. Through a time-dependent complex network framework applied to a thirty-year long dataset of sea surface temperatures over the Mediterranean Sea, we provide compelling evidence that ocean ecoregionalization based on connectivity can be achieved at spatial and time scales relevant to conservation management and planning.

Low economic, political, and cultural diversity within the largest global networks of marine reserves

&lt;p&gt;Cooperation between countries in managing and protecting shared marine resources is beneficial both ecologically and economically, but how best to establish the cooperation needed at a global scale is under constant evolution. Here, we used hydrodynamic modelling to identify ecologically connected networks of marine reserves and evaluated these networks with socio-economic indicators. We found that 17% (11/66) of the largest networks (&gt;20 reserves) span multiple countries and are part of a heterogeneous networks. The countries involved in the heterogeneous networks have different economic, political, and cultural views. Most of the networks currently are homogenous and have similar levels of development, shared languages, and other cultural values. While economic and cultural homogeneity might lead to more efficient ecological management in the short term, heterogeneous networks may prove to be more resilient in the longer term, once climate change has impacted marine connectivity.&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;

Spatial epidemiological modelling of infection by Vibrio aestuarianus shows that connectivity and temperature control oyster mortality

Vibrio aestuarianus infection in oyster populations causes massive mortality, resulting in losses for oyster farmers. Such dynamics result from host-pathogen interactions and contagion through water-borne transmission. To assess the spatiotemporal spread of V. aestuarianus infection and associated oyster mortality at a bay scale, we built a mathematical model informed by experimental infection data at 2 temperatures and spatially dependent marine connectivity of oyster farms. We applied the model to a real system and tested the importance of each factor using a number of modelling scenarios. Results suggest that introducing V. aestuarianus in a fully susceptible adult oyster population in the bay would lead to the mortality of all farmed oysters over 6 to 12 mo, depending on the location in which infection was initiated. The effect of temperature was captured by the basic reproduction number (R0), which was >1 at high seawater temperatures, as opposed to values <1 at low temperatures. At the ecosystem scale, simulations showed the existence of long-distance dispersal of free-living bacteria. The western part of the bay could be reached by bacteria originating from the eastern side, though the spread time was greatly increased. Further developments of the model, including the consideration of the anthropogenic movements of oysters and oyster-specific sensitivity factors, would allow the development of accurate maps of epidemiological risks and help define aquaculture zoning.

Pelagic Sargassum Prediction and Marine Connectivity in the Tropical Atlantic

Since 2011, pelagic Sargassum has experienced extraordinary blooms in the Tropical Atlantic where a system of persistent but seasonally variable currents has retained and consolidated it in large masses. Although beneficial at sea, principally as a unique pelagic habitat, when Sargassum inundates the nearshore environment it can have catastrophic effects on tourism, fisheries, health, and local ecosystems. Providing advanced warning of arrival dates of large masses of Sargassum is critical for enabling preparations and planning for its removal, use, and mitigation. Predictions of arrival time and location involve satellite identification of Sargassum at sea together with ocean current data for forward model tracking. However, forecast ocean current data are generally valid for only 5—7 days. In this study, ocean currents from 2 models (HYCOM and OSCAR) are validated against satellite tracked drifters from the Global Drifter Program with vector correlation and with skill in replicating a drifter pathway. Various wind additions to the models are also tested. Although both models capture the surface current systems in the Tropical Atlantic, they are mediocre in performance along both boundaries. In contrast, a drifter based current data model with 0.5% wind addition had high skill levels. This skill—tested drifter—based model was then used to determine marine connectivity across the Tropical Atlantic and suggests a much broader spread of Sargassum in the eastern Tropical Atlantic than is presently observed by satellites, conforming to earlier hypotheses. This model forms the basis for seasonal scale Sargassum forecasting.