Marine reserves help preserve genetic diversity after impacts derived from climate variability: Lessons from the pink abalone in Baja California

摘要: Abstract Genetic diversity is crucial for the adaptation of exploited species like pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata), faced with threats from climate change, overfishing and impacts associated aquaculture production. While marine reserves are commonly used to mitigate risks populations, duration, size, location larval connectivity needed a reserve help conserve genetic resources still poorly understood. Here, we examine effects fishing, reserves, restocking on 10 populations central Baja California, Mexico, Southern USA. We demonstrate that each population shows characteristic signatures according recent management decisions. found high allelic diversity, particularly rare alleles, larger effective size lack bottleneck in abalones within small (0.8 km2), recently established (5 years) compared other fished sites after climatic bottleneck. Higher may result presence older animals reserve. Due its location, also act as an important hub connecting distant via dispersal. In contrast, California showed isolation, loss relatedness, consistent collapse fisheries 1990s their recovery thereafter. addition, area history over decade increase frequency related individuals differentiation nearby were production larvae few adults laboratory. A network strategically placed considers ocean circulation patterns could maintain populations.