Reproductive biology of the Caribbean gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae and its effects on genetic variation

The gorgonian coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae has been harvested in the Bahamas since 1996 without knowledge of the species' reproduction and population structure. These are crucial data for developing conservation and management plans. This investigation focuses on the reproduction and population genetics of P. elisabethae in the Bahamas.; P. elisabethae is a gonochoric surface brooder and colonies started to reproduce at 18–20 cm of height. Spawning was asynchronous, and fertilized eggs developed into planulae over 1–2 days. Many larvae settled within tens of meters of the maternal colony.; Levels of morphological and genetic variation across populations in the Bahamas, Florida and the Southwestern Caribbean, were investigated to establish if there was congruence between the two data sets. ITS-rDNA sequences revealed the presence of two main genetic groups: one formed by populations located within the Exuma Sound and another one constituted by populations located outside Exuma Sound. Morphometric analysis indicated that only two populations differed in their morphology. Sclerites from two of the populations tended to be smaller. The genetic and morphological variation was not totally congruent between the data sets.; The population genetic structure of P. elisabethae across the Bahamas was determined using microsatellites. Significant deviations from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium as well as high levels of genetic structure were detected. A distance tree placed populations within two groups, one formed by populations located within Exuma Sound and another one constituted by populations outside Exuma Sound. A Mantel test showed a positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance.; Paternity analysis was used to characterize patterns of sperm dispersal and the effects of ecological factors on male reproductive success. Paternity of all the larvae sampled from 4 females could be assigned to one of the males in the study area. Neither distance to the maternal colonies nor male size could predict the relative reproductive success of the male colonies. A positive correlation was found between male reproductive success and number of males in each distance class from the mother.; Management plans for the species should focus on the conservation of the different populations across the Bahamas, since replenishment of populations is local.