Sharp genetic breaks among populations of Haptosquilla pulchella (Stomatopoda) indicate limits to larval transport: patterns, causes, and consequences

摘要: To help stem the precipitous decline of coral reef ecosystems world-wide, conservation efforts are focused on establishing interconnected reserve networks to protect threatened populations. Because many organisms have a planktonic or pelagic larval dispersal phase, it is critical understand patterns ecological connectivity between populations that result from dispersal. We used genetics infer among 24 Indo-West Pacific mantis shrimp, Haptosquilla pulchella. Contrary predictions high facilitated by strong currents Indonesian throughflow, mitochondrial DNA sequences 393 individuals displayed striking regional genetic differentiation concordant with ocean basins isolated during periods lowered sea level. Patterns structuring indicate although within geographical regions semicontiguous coastlines spanning thousands kilometres may be common, ecologically meaningful connections can rare separated as little 300 km open ocean. Strong mosaics in species potential highlight utility for identifying marine and show assumption will provide must empirically tested design networks.