Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems
Abstract Sponges are key ecosystem engineers that shape, structure and enhance the biodiversity of marine benthic communities globally. Sponge aggregations and reefs are recognized as vulnerable marine ecosystems (or VMEs) due to their susceptibility to damage from bottom-contact fishing gears. Ensu...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| author | Anna Patova Pedro A. Ribeiro Francisco J. Murillo Ana Riesgo Sergi Taboada Shirley A. Pomponi Hans Tore Rapp Ellen Kenchington Joana R. Xavier |
| author_facet | Anna Patova Pedro A. Ribeiro Francisco J. Murillo Ana Riesgo Sergi Taboada Shirley A. Pomponi Hans Tore Rapp Ellen Kenchington Joana R. Xavier |
| author_sort | Anna Patova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Sponges are key ecosystem engineers that shape, structure and enhance the biodiversity of marine benthic communities globally. Sponge aggregations and reefs are recognized as vulnerable marine ecosystems (or VMEs) due to their susceptibility to damage from bottom-contact fishing gears. Ensuring their long-term sustainability, preservation, and ecosystem functions requires the implementation of sound scientific conservation tools. Here, the genetic diversity, structure, and connectivity of the deep-sea glass sponge, Vazella pourtalesii (Schmidt, 1870), was investigated using 1,102 neutral SNPs obtained in RADseq. This species is distributed across the northwest Atlantic from Florida, USA to Nova Scotia, Canada and we sequenced samples covering this full distribution and provided evidence of strong genetic structure with two distinct clusters: Florida together with the Carolina Shelves and the Scotian Shelf. We estimated moderate levels of diversity with low migration across large distances (> 1000 kms) and high connectivity at smaller scales (< 300 kms). Further, fishing pressure on genetic diversity was evaluated, within two Sponge Conservation Areas (SCAs) on the Scotian Shelf. Those areas have different disturbance histories, and cumulative fishing pressure. Slightly lower levels of genetic diversity were found inside the SCAs, and yet they encompassed a high proportion of the diversity observed within the Scotian Shelf. We provide baseline data for future monitoring of the SCAs, discussing our findings in the light of existing area-based management tools. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-b8dee05924c24d598a06ea37e66b53b42025-01-12T12:21:47ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111710.1038/s41598-024-82462-zPopulation genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystemsAnna Patova0Pedro A. Ribeiro1Francisco J. Murillo2Ana Riesgo3Sergi Taboada4Shirley A. Pomponi5Hans Tore Rapp6Ellen Kenchington7Joana R. Xavier8Department of Biological Sciences, University of BergenDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of BergenFisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of OceanographyDepartamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasDepartamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientíficasHarbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic UniversityDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of BergenFisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of OceanographyDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of BergenAbstract Sponges are key ecosystem engineers that shape, structure and enhance the biodiversity of marine benthic communities globally. Sponge aggregations and reefs are recognized as vulnerable marine ecosystems (or VMEs) due to their susceptibility to damage from bottom-contact fishing gears. Ensuring their long-term sustainability, preservation, and ecosystem functions requires the implementation of sound scientific conservation tools. Here, the genetic diversity, structure, and connectivity of the deep-sea glass sponge, Vazella pourtalesii (Schmidt, 1870), was investigated using 1,102 neutral SNPs obtained in RADseq. This species is distributed across the northwest Atlantic from Florida, USA to Nova Scotia, Canada and we sequenced samples covering this full distribution and provided evidence of strong genetic structure with two distinct clusters: Florida together with the Carolina Shelves and the Scotian Shelf. We estimated moderate levels of diversity with low migration across large distances (> 1000 kms) and high connectivity at smaller scales (< 300 kms). Further, fishing pressure on genetic diversity was evaluated, within two Sponge Conservation Areas (SCAs) on the Scotian Shelf. Those areas have different disturbance histories, and cumulative fishing pressure. Slightly lower levels of genetic diversity were found inside the SCAs, and yet they encompassed a high proportion of the diversity observed within the Scotian Shelf. We provide baseline data for future monitoring of the SCAs, discussing our findings in the light of existing area-based management tools.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82462-zGlass spongesGenetic diversityHexactinellidaRADSeqMigrationBottom-fisheries |
| spellingShingle | Anna Patova Pedro A. Ribeiro Francisco J. Murillo Ana Riesgo Sergi Taboada Shirley A. Pomponi Hans Tore Rapp Ellen Kenchington Joana R. Xavier Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems Scientific Reports Glass sponges Genetic diversity Hexactinellida RADSeq Migration Bottom-fisheries |
| title | Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems |
| title_full | Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems |
| title_fullStr | Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems |
| title_short | Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems |
| title_sort | population genomics and connectivity of vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest atlantic with conservation implications of deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems |
| topic | Glass sponges Genetic diversity Hexactinellida RADSeq Migration Bottom-fisheries |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82462-z |
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