Gradel Antoine, Benestan Laura, Legrand Térence, Le Luyer Jérémy, Planes Serge, Reisser Céline M O
MARBEC, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IFREMER, Montpellier, IRD, France.
PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Labex Corail, Université de Perpignan, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan Cedex, France.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 9;15(1):24611. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10113-y.
Unravelling the mechanisms driving marine connectivity in open ocean environments remains a challenge, particularly for bentho-pelagic species, where larval dispersal further complicates analysis. Integrating currentology with population genomics provides a powerful framework for inferring population connectivity and guiding conservation strategies. In this study, we combined population genomics (26,080 SNPs on 872 individuals), multigeneration connectivity estimates from larval dispersal modelling, and graph theory to assess the connectivity patterns of the pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) across French Polynesia. We identified unprecedented fine-scale population structure with genetically distinct populations among four of the five archipelagos (excluding the Austral Archipelago), revealing a unique genetic signature of these archipelago. Global population structure aligns with coalescent connectivity estimates (R2 = 0.6), but discrepancies between the two approaches highlighted the influence of both historical and contemporary processes on present-day population structure. The Last Glacial Maximum may have played a role in shaping the genetic structure of P. margaritifera in French Polynesia, while modern pearl farming practices appear to have contributed to genetic homogenization. These results provide crucial insights for delineating management units to ensure the sustainable exploitation and diversity conservation of pearl oysters in French Polynesia. They also show the value of combining approaches to study connectivity.
揭示开放海洋环境中驱动海洋连通性的机制仍然是一项挑战，特别是对于底栖-浮游物种而言，其幼虫扩散使分析进一步复杂化。将海流学与种群基因组学相结合，为推断种群连通性和指导保护策略提供了一个强大的框架。在本研究中，我们结合了种群基因组学（对872个个体的26080个单核苷酸多态性）、幼虫扩散模型的多代连通性估计以及图论，以评估法属波利尼西亚珍珠牡蛎（珠母贝）的连通模式。我们在五个群岛中的四个（不包括土阿莫土群岛）发现了前所未有的精细尺度种群结构，各岛屿存在基因上不同的种群，揭示了这些群岛独特的遗传特征。全球种群结构与溯祖连通性估计结果相符（R2 = 0.6），但两种方法之间的差异突出了历史和当代过程对当前种群结构的影响。末次盛冰期可能在塑造法属波利尼西亚珠母贝的遗传结构中发挥了作用，而现代珍珠养殖实践似乎促进了基因同质化。这些结果为划定管理单元提供了关键见解，以确保法属波利尼西亚珍珠牡蛎的可持续开发和多样性保护。它们还展示了结合多种方法研究连通性的价值。
