Regional genetic differentiation among populations of Cladocora caespitosa in the Western Mediterranean

摘要: Cladocora caespitosa is the only reef-forming zooxanthellate scleractinian in Mediterranean Sea. This endemic coral has suffered severe mortality events at different sites owing to anomalous summer heat waves related global climate change. In this study, we assessed genetic structure and gene flow among four populations of species Western Sea: Cape Palos (SE Spain), Cala Galdana (Balearic Islands), Columbretes Islands, L’Ametlla (NE Spain). The results obtained from Bayesian approaches, F ST statistics, analysis migration rates suggest certain levels differentiation driven by high self-recruitment, a fact that supported egg-retention mechanisms. Conversely, connectivity distant populations, even if generally low, seems be sporadic dispersal through regional surface currents linked spawning period occurs end summer-beginning autumn. These features, together with isolation could explain found populations. help better understand population will serve as an approach for further studies on aspects biology ecology C. caespitosa.