Wilfredo L. Campos

The Kuroshio Current influences genetic diversity and population genetic structure of a tropical seagrass, Enhalus acoroides

Information on genetic diversity and differentiation of seagrass populations is essential for the conservation of coastal ecosystems. However, little is known about the seagrasses in the Indo‐West Pacific Ocean, where the worlds highest diversity of seagrasses occurs. The influence of sea currents on these populations is also unknown. We estimated the genetic diversity and population genetic structure and identified reproductive features in Enhalus acoroides populations from the Yaeyama Islands, Hainan Island and the Philippines. The Philippines are situated at the centre of the E. acoroides range, Yaeyama and Hainan are peripheral populations, and the Yaeyama population is at the northern limit of the species range. The powerful Kuroshio Current flows from the Philippines to Yaeyama. Genetic analyses using nine microsatellite markers indicated that reproduction of E. acoroides is mostly sexual. Clonal diversity does not decrease in northern populations, although genetic diversity does. However, the genetic diversity of the Yaeyama populations is greater than that of the Hainan populations. Significant genetic differentiation among most populations was evident; however, the Yaeyama and north‐east Philippines populations were genetically similar, despite being separated by ~1100 km. An assignment test suggested that recruitment occurs from the north‐east Philippines to Yaeyama. The strong current in this region is probably responsible for the extant genetic diversity and recruitment patterns.

Long-term change in coral cover and the effectiveness of marine protected areas in the Philippines: a meta-analysis

Although coral declines have been reported from major reefs of the world, region-specific trends still remain unclear, particularly in areas with high diversity such as the Philippines. We assessed the temporal patterns of the magnitude and trajectory of coral cover change in the Philippines using survey data collected from 317 sites. We examined the rate of change in coral cover in relation to time, effects of bleaching and protection against fishing and assessed the efficacy of marinexa0protected areas (MPAs) using meta-analysis. Results showed an overall increase in coral cover in the Philippines from 1981 to 2010. Protection from fishing contributed to the overall increase in the mean annual rate of change as the coral cover significantly increased within MPAs than outside. The significant differences in the rate of coral cover change through time were influenced by chronic anthropogenic stresses, coinciding with the timing of thermal stress and the establishment of MPAs. The rate of change in coral cover was independent of the level of protection and the age and size of MPA.

Genetic diversity and structure of the tropical seagrass Cymodocea serrulata spanning its central diversity hotspot and range edge

AbstractnPersistence of populations at their distributional ranges relies on local population dynamics and the fitness of species with low dispersal potential. We analyzed the population genetic diversity and structure of a tropical seagrass species, Cymodocea serrulata, at 34 sites spanning Philippine (diversity hotspot) and Ryukyu Islands (northern limit of distribution) populations using microsatellite (SSR) markers. Seagrass populations in the diversity hotspot are hypothesized to contain higher genetic diversity and clonal richness than those resulting from expansion or geographic range limits. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the genetic diversity, genetic structure and clonal richness of C. serrulata populations in the Philippines and Ryukyu Islands. C. serrulata populations showed decreased genetic diversity and clonal richness at their northern limit. Clonal reproduction predominated at the northern limit, while sexual reproduction prevailed in the diversity hotspot. Decreased genetic diversity and clonal richness at the northern limit may be the consequence of drift resulting from founder effect, reduced habitat, sea surface temperature and low gene flow and/or natural selection across life stages, wherein clonal reproduction confers greater environmental fitness. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and the fixation index, FST, showed significant genetic differentiation within and among geographic populations. STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the Ryukyu Islands populations were mosaics of genets from the eastern Philippines, likely carried by the Kuroshio Current.

A baseline for the genetic conservation of tropical seagrasses in the western North Pacific under the influence of the Kuroshio Current: the case of Syringodium isoetifolium

Recently, seagrasses have been declining along coastlines worldwide. We genetically analyzed 1058 ramets of Syringodium isoetifolium collected from 21 populations in the Philippines and 9 in the Ryukyu Islands using nine microsatellite markers, to provide a baseline of genetic information on seagrasses in the western North Pacific region under the influence of the Kuroshio Current, and aid in their genetic conservation. We detected 421 genotypes and the average clonal richness (R) was relatively low (Rxa0=xa00.38), suggesting that S. isoetifolium populations were formed mainly through asexual reproduction. The index of genetic differentiation among populations for S. isoetifolium was high (

Development of novel microsatellite markers in a tropical seagrass, Enhalus acoroides

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Population genetics information for the regional conservation of a tropical seagrass, Enhalus acoroides, around the Guimaras Strait, Philippines

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Phylogeography of the planktonic shrimp Lucifer hanseni Nobili 1905 in the Indo-Malayan Archipelago

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