Genetic affinities between corals on the Flower Garden Banks vs. oil/gas platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico: implications for dispersal

Abstract

Based on these results, we conclude that, counter to current theory regarding larval dispersal in
corals, populations of brooding species such as Madracis decactis are highly effective at
dispersing their larvae over a wide region where suitable habitats are inter-dispersed at distances
on the order of kms to tens of kms. They are able to carry this dispersal out via the “stepping
stone” strategy common in many populations of organisms. Species such as this one appear to be
more effective at this type of dispersal than broadcasting species, e.g. Diploria strigosa or
Montastraea cavernosa. Future studies over a larger geographic range, e.g. hundreds to
thousands of kms, will indicate whether broadcast larvae are more effective at dispersing over
larger distances.

We also conclude that AFLPs are an appropriate and powerful tool by which to conduct DNA fingerprinting
studies on scleractinian corals and determine degrees of genetic affinity between
populations within a species.