Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America.
PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e49474. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049474. Epub 2012 Nov 21.
Patterns of genetic connectivity are increasingly considered in the design of marine protected areas (MPAs) in both shallow and deep water. In the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), deep-sea communities at upper bathyal depths (<2000 m) are vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance from fishing and potential mining operations. Currently, patterns of genetic connectivity among deep-sea populations throughout New Zealand's EEZ are not well understood. Using the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16S rRNA genes as genetic markers, this study aimed to elucidate patterns of genetic connectivity among populations of two common benthic invertebrates with contrasting life history strategies. Populations of the squat lobster Munida gracilis and the polychaete Hyalinoecia longibranchiata were sampled from continental slope, seamount, and offshore rise habitats on the Chatham Rise, Hikurangi Margin, and Challenger Plateau. For the polychaete, significant population structure was detected among distinct populations on the Chatham Rise, the Hikurangi Margin, and the Challenger Plateau. Significant genetic differences existed between slope and seamount populations on the Hikurangi Margin, as did evidence of population differentiation between the northeast and southwest parts of the Chatham Rise. In contrast, no significant population structure was detected across the study area for the squat lobster. Patterns of genetic connectivity in Hyalinoecia longibranchiata are likely influenced by a number of factors including current regimes that operate on varying spatial and temporal scales to produce potential barriers to dispersal. The striking difference in population structure between species can be attributed to differences in life history strategies. The results of this study are discussed in the context of existing conservation areas that are intended to manage anthropogenic threats to deep-sea benthic communities in the New Zealand region.
在浅水区和深水区的海洋保护区 (MPA) 设计中，越来越多地考虑遗传连通性模式。在新西兰专属经济区 (EEZ)，上深海区（<2000 米深）的深海群落容易受到捕鱼和潜在采矿作业的人为干扰。目前，新西兰 EEZ 内深海种群的遗传连通模式尚不清楚。本研究使用线粒体细胞色素氧化酶 I 和 16S rRNA 基因作为遗传标记，旨在阐明两种具有不同生活史策略的常见底栖无脊椎动物种群之间的遗传连通模式。从查塔姆隆起、奇尔基山脉和挑战者高原的大陆坡、海山和近海隆起栖息地采集了短腕龙虾 Munida gracilis 和多毛类 Hyalinoecia longibranchiata 的种群样本。对于多毛类，在查塔姆隆起、奇尔基山脉和挑战者高原上的不同种群中检测到显著的种群结构。在奇尔基山脉的斜坡和海山种群之间存在显著的遗传差异，查塔姆隆起的东北部和西南部之间也存在种群分化的证据。相比之下，短腕龙虾在整个研究区域内没有检测到显著的种群结构。Hyalinoecia longibranchiata 的遗传连通模式可能受到多种因素的影响，包括在不同空间和时间尺度上运作的当前模式，这些模式可能会对扩散产生潜在的障碍。这两个物种之间种群结构的显著差异可以归因于生活史策略的差异。本研究结果在旨在管理新西兰地区深海底栖群落人为威胁的现有保护区的背景下进行了讨论。
