IMIS

Publications | Institutes | Persons | Datasets | Projects | Maps
[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [252524]
Population connectivity measures of fishery-targeted coral reef species to inform marine reserve network design in Fiji
Eastwood, E.K.; López, E.H.; Drew, J.A. (2016). Population connectivity measures of fishery-targeted coral reef species to inform marine reserve network design in Fiji. NPG Scientific Reports 6(19318): 10 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep19318
In: Scientific Reports (Nature Publishing Group). Nature Publishing Group: London. ISSN 2045-2322; e-ISSN 2045-2322, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Halichoeres trimaculatus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1834) [WoRMS]; Holothuriidae Burmeister, 1837 [WoRMS]; Labridae Cuvier, 1816 [WoRMS]; Serranidae Swainson, 1839 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Eastwood, E.K.
  • López, E.H.
  • Drew, J.A.

Abstract
    Coral reef fish serve as food sources to coastal communities worldwide, yet are vulnerable to mounting anthropogenic pressures like overfishing and climate change. Marine reserve networks have become important tools for mitigating these pressures, and one of the most critical factors in determining their spatial design is the degree of connectivity among different populations of species prioritized for protection. To help inform the spatial design of an expanded reserve network in Fiji, we used rapidly evolving mitochondrial genes to investigate connectivity patterns of three coral reef species targeted by fisheries in Fiji: Epinephelus merra (Serranidae), Halichoeres trimaculatus (Labridae), and Holothuria atra (Holothuriidae). The two fish species, E. merra and Ha. Trimaculatus, exhibited low genetic structuring and high amounts of gene flow, whereas the sea cucumber Ho. atra displayed high genetic partitioning and predominantly westward gene flow. The idiosyncratic patterns observed among these species indicate that patterns of connectivity in Fiji are likely determined by a combination of oceanographic and ecological characteristics. Our data indicate that in the cases of species with high connectivity, other factors such as representation or political availability may dictate where reserves are placed. In low connectivity species, ensuring upstream and downstream connections is critical.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors