Conservation genetics of Antarctic heart urchins (Abatus spp.) ...

Antarctic marine biodiversity is largely contained in the continental shelf zone and is characterized by high levels of endemism and a high proportion of invertebrate species with brooding life histories. Benthic marine species in Antarctica are considered highly vulnerable to the predicted warming...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Carrea, C
Format: Thesis
Language:unknown
Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23241599
https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Conservation_genetics_of_Antarctic_heart_urchins_Abatus_spp_/23241599
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Summary:Antarctic marine biodiversity is largely contained in the continental shelf zone and is characterized by high levels of endemism and a high proportion of invertebrate species with brooding life histories. Benthic marine species in Antarctica are considered highly vulnerable to the predicted warming environment, and therefore there is an urgent need for research to aid their effective management and preserve biodiversity. Our knowledge of the processes affecting population genetic diversity and structure in the Antarctic benthos remains very limited, particularly in East Antarctica. The irregular heart urchins (genus: Abatus, Spatangoidea: Schizasteridae) are endemic to the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions, and their brooding life history is expected to restrict their dispersal capabilities, leading to isolated and potentially inbred populations that may be susceptible to the effects of environmental change. The broad aim of this thesis is to characterize the genetic diversity and structure of heart urchin ...