Patterns and mechanisms of dispersal in a keystone seagrass species

Mechanisms and vectors of long-distance dispersal remain unknown for many coastal benthic species, including plants. Indications for the possibility for long-distance dispersal come from dispersal modelling and from genetic assessments, but have rarely been assessed with both methods. To this end, w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine environmental research 2016-06, Vol.117, p.54-62
Main Authors: Jahnke, Marlene, Christensen, Asbjørn, Micu, Dragos, Milchakova, Nataliya, Sezgin, Murat, Todorova, Valentina, Strungaru, Stefan, Procaccini, Gabriele
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Black Sea
Clonal plant
Ecosystem
Genetic connectivity
Genetic Variation
Genetics, Population
Langrangian
Marine
Microsatellite Repeats
Population Dynamics
Propagules
Seagrass
Seascape
Zostera
Zostera noltei
Zosteraceae - physiology
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Summary:Mechanisms and vectors of long-distance dispersal remain unknown for many coastal benthic species, including plants. Indications for the possibility for long-distance dispersal come from dispersal modelling and from genetic assessments, but have rarely been assessed with both methods. To this end, we assessed dispersal of the seagrass Zostera noltei, an important foundation species of the coastal zone. We investigate whether small scale seed dispersal and long-distance propagule dispersal do play a role for meta-population dynamics, using both genetic assessments based on eight microsatellite markers and physical modelling of ocean currents. Such assessments enhance our understanding of the biology and population dynamics of an important coastal foundation species. They are relevant for large scale conservation strategies as they give insights in the maintenance of genetic diversity and connectivity that may enhance resilience and resistance to stresses associated with seagrass loss. •Z. noltei shows low genetic connectivity (from 10 s to 100 s of km) in the Black Sea.•Physical modelling of dispersal well agree with estimates of genetic connectivity.•Physical and genetic connectivity show possible but rare long distance dispersal.•Seeds get dispersed locally while shoots have higher dispersal potential.•Physical and genetic measures estimate potential and realized connectivity.
ISSN:0141-1136
1879-0291
DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.04.004