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Article Dans Une Revue Biological Journal of the Linnean Society Année : 2018

A lack of spatial genetic structure of Gymnothorax chilospilus (moray eel) suggests peculiar population functioning

Résumé

Moray eels form a speciose lineage that belongs to Elopomorpha, a super-order with a worldwide distribution. As is the case for many anguilliform fish, moray eels are characterized by distinctive life history traits, notably a prolonged larval dispersal phase that determines settlement to distant reef habitats, thus influencing the spatial structuring of their populations. They can be very abundant in coral reef ecosystems and represent major mesopredators, playing a crucial role in food webs. Yet, due to their elusive nature (i.e. cryptic behaviour, nocturnal activity), these organisms are generally difficult to study and collect. To our knowledge, only a few studies performed over large geographical and phylogenetic scales have been conducted. We used a unique and cost-efficient sampling approach, involving forced regurgitation from sea snake predators, to collect large numbers of a widespread moray eel species (Gymnothorax chilospilus). When combined with the development of 11 new microsatellite markers, this efficient sampling technique allowed us to examine the genetic structure of Gymnothorax populations occurring in the South Lagoon of New Caledonia. Analyses revealed a lack of genetic differentiation among populations. This result echoes the strong genetic homogeneity of populations of their main predator, the sea snake. This convergence might result from a distinctive trait involved in population functioning of both moray eels and sea snakes, where immature individuals emerge from common breeding grounds and disperse over long distances before settlement.

Dates et versions

hal-01877037 , version 1 (19-09-2018)

Identifiants

Citer

Cecile Ribout, N. Bech, Briand M. J., D. Guyonnet, Yves Letourneur, et al.. A lack of spatial genetic structure of Gymnothorax chilospilus (moray eel) suggests peculiar population functioning. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2018, 125 (1), pp.142-151. ⟨10.1093/biolinnean/bly107⟩. ⟨hal-01877037⟩
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