engleski

Population genetic structure of Posidonia oceanica meadows along the eastern Adriatic coast

The settlement of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile along the eastern coast of the Adriatic is fairly recent taking into account that during the peak of the last glaciation, 18.000 years before present, the sea level was approximately 120 m lower than today. In the Adriatic Sea P. oceanica inhabits the narrow zone in the coastal sea from the surface to approx. 40 m of depth. In order to assess the levels of genetic diversity and to investigate inter- and intra-population genetic structure of P. oceanica meadows along the eastern Adriatic coast, a total of 268 samples were collected from 15 localities. After DNA extraction, 9 nuclear polymorphic microsatellites loci (Po15, Po4-3, Po5, Po5-39, Po5-49, Poc5, Poc26, Poc42, Poc45) were analysed. The results supported the expectation of high clonality and low genetic diversity levels of this species. This could be explained by predominant clonal reproduction and vegetative dispersal in contrast to sexual reproduction and seed dispersal of this species in the Adriatic. The results are discussed in respect to eastern Adriatic geography, consequent climatic and ecological differences and the dominant sea current flow.

Posidonia oceanica; genetic diversity; microsatellite markers; Adriatic Sea

nije evidentirano