Genetička struktura ugroženog crvenog koralja Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) analizirana pomoću mikrosatelitnih lokusa

master's thesis

• Title (english): Fine-scale genetic structure of the threatened red coral, Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) inferred from microsatellite markers
• Author: Sunčica Stipoljev
• Mentor: Jean-Baptiste Ledoux (mentor); ISVU: JL074
• Mentor: Ana Galov (sumentor)
• Committee member: Ana Galov (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Petra Korać (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Antun Alegro (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2018-05-18, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Dragocjeni mediteranski crveni koralj, Corallium rubrum, je inženjer ekosustava sa esencijalnom ulogom u strukturiranju i funkcioniranju koraligenskih staništa, koja su među najbogatijim, ali također i najugroženijim staništima Mediterana. Glavne prijetnje crvenom koralju su intenzivno povijesno izlovljavanje zbog uporabe u izradi nakita i masovna ugibanja uzrokovana klimatskim promjenama. Dugovječnost i usporena populacijska dinamika čine C. rubrum iznimno osjetljivim kada se suočava s izvorima jakih poremećaja. U tom smislu, poznavanje populacijske dinamike je od velike važnosti za gospodarenje i konzervaciju. Glavni ciljevi ovog rada bili su, kombinacijom populacijske genetike, analize prostorne raspodjele i demografije, karakterizirati obrazac genetičke i srodstvene strukture kolonija C. rubrum na površini od dva metra kvadratna iz populacije smještene u morskom zaštićenom područje u Sredozemnom moru (Scandola, Korzika). Na temelju tih obrazaca, zaključili smo o temeljnim mikroevolucijskim procesima koji djeluju u ispitivanoj populaciji s posebnim naglaskom na disperziju. Naši rezultati su pokazali značajnu prostornu genetičku strukturu i agregaciju jedinki unutar uzorkovane populacije. Na temelju prostorne genetičke strukture, srednja vrijednost disperzije unutar populacije je procjenjena u rasponu između 53 i 76 cm, potvrđujući ograničene sposobnosti disperzije ove vrste. Analiza srodstvenih odnosa na ovim uzorcima pokazala je složenu razinu odnosa, potvrđujući višestruko parenje između genetski srodnih kolonija upućujući na pojavu parenja u srodstvu. Naši rezultati proširuju prethodna saznanja, ukazujući da su populacije C. rubrum zatvorene i da lokalni procesi imaju središnju ulogu u njihovoj biologiji, što ima važne implikacije za očuvanje crvenog koralja.

Abstract (english)

The precious Mediterranean red coral, Corallium rubrum, is ecosystem engineer with essential role in structuring and functioning of coralligenous outcrops, which are among the richest but also the most threatened Mediterranean habitats. The main threats to the red coral are intensive historical fishing for its use in jewellery and climate-induced mass mortality events. The high longevity and slow population dynamics of C. rubrum make this species exceptionally vulnerable when faced with sources of strong disturbances. In this sense, the knowledge of population dynamics is central for management and conservation purposes. The main objectives of this study were, combining population genetics, spatial distribution analyses and demography, to characterize the pattern of fine-spatial scale genetic and kinship structure among C. rubrum colonies over an area of two square meters from a population situated in the marine protected area in the Mediterranean Sea (Scandola, Corsica). Based on these patterns, underlying microevolutionary processes acting in the study population were inferred with particular emphasize on dispersal. Our results demonstrated significant spatial genetic structure (SGS) and individual spatial aggregation within sampled population. Based on this SGS, the mean dispersal within population was estimated to range between 53 and 76 cm, confirming restricted dispersal abilities of this species. Kinship analysis on these samples showed a complex level of half-sib relationships, confirming multiple mating between genetically related colonies suggesting the occurrence of biparental inbreeding. Our results expand previous findings, implying that C. rubrum populations are closed and that local processes has a central role in their biology, which has important implications for the conservation of red coral.

• Keywords: Corallium rubrum; disperzija; genetički pomak; srodstvena struktura; prostorna genetička struktura
• Keywords (english): Corallium rubrum; dispersal; genetic drift; kinship structure; spatial genetic structure
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:965364
• Study programme: Title: Ecology; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra ekologije i zaštite prirode (magistar/magistra ekologije i zaštite prirode)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Embargoed access; Embargo expiration date: 2020-05-18
• Created on: 2018-07-09 07:27:46