Heterogeneous microgeographic genetic structure of the common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: biogeographic barriers and environmental factors

Knowledge of genetic structure at the finest level is essential for conservation of genetic resources. Despite no visible barriers limiting gene flow, significant genetic structure has been shown in marine species. The common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) is a bivalve of great commercial and ecologica...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vera Rodríguez, Manuel, Vera, Manuel, Martínez, Paulino
Format: Dataset
Language:unknown
Published: 2023
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Online Access:https://zenodo.org/record/8253304
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.xpnvx0kmr
Description
Summary:Knowledge of genetic structure at the finest level is essential for conservation of genetic resources. Despite no visible barriers limiting gene flow, significant genetic structure has been shown in marine species. The common cockle (Cerastoderma edule) is a bivalve of great commercial and ecological value inhabiting the Northeast Atlantic Ocean. Previous population genomics studies demonstrated significant structure both across the Northeast Atlantic, but also within small geographic areas, highlighting the need to investigate fine-scale structuring. Here, we analysed two geographic areas that could represent opposite models of structure for the species: 1) the SW British Isles region, highly fragmented due to biogeographic barriers, and 2) Galicia (NW Spain), a putative homogeneous region. 9,250 SNPs genotyped by 2b-RAD on 599 individuals from 22 natural beds were used for the analysis. The entire SNP dataset mostly confirmed previous observations related to genetic diversity and differentiation, however, neutral and divergent SNP outlier datasets enabled disentangling physical barriers from abiotic environmental factors structuring both regions. While Galicia showed a homogeneous structure, the SW British Isles region was split into four reliable genetic regions related to oceanographic features and abiotic factors, such as sea surface salinity and temperature. The information gathered supports specific management policies of cockle resources in SW British and Galician regions also considering their particular socio-economic characteristics; further, these new data will be added to those recently reported in the Northeast Atlantic to define sustainable management actions across the whole distribution range of the species. All files can be opened with Notepad or similar.Funding provided by: InterregCrossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100013276Award Number: EAPA_458/2016 Sample area and oceanography Two geographic areas along the Northeast Atlantic coast were investigated (Fig. 1). The ...