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Connectivity of sponge grounds in the deep sea: genetic diversity, gene flow and oceanographic pathways in the fan-shaped sponge Phakellia ventilabrum in the northeast Atlantic
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  • Sergi Taboada,
  • Connie Whiting,
  • Shuangqiang Wang,
  • Pilar Ríos,
  • Andrew Davies,
  • Furu Mienis,
  • Ellen Kenchington,
  • Paco Cárdenas,
  • Alex Cranston,
  • Vasiliki Koutsouveli,
  • Javier Cristobo,
  • Hans-Tore Rapp,
  • Jim Drewery,
  • Francisco Baldó,
  • Christine Morrow,
  • Bernard Picton,
  • Joana Xavier,
  • María Belén Arias,
  • Ana Riesgo
Sergi Taboada
Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Corresponding Author:sergiotab@gmail.com

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Connie Whiting
University College London
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Shuangqiang Wang
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
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Pilar Ríos
Instituto Español de Oceanografía Centro Oceanográfico de Santander
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Andrew Davies
University of Rhode Island
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Furu Mienis
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
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Ellen Kenchington
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Paco Cárdenas
Uppsala Universitet
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Alex Cranston
The Natural History Museum of London
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Vasiliki Koutsouveli
The Natural History Museum of London
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Javier Cristobo
Instituto Español de Oceanografía Centro Oceanográfico de Gijón
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Hans-Tore Rapp
University of Bergen
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Jim Drewery
Marine Scotland Science
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Francisco Baldó
Instituto Español de Oceanografía Centro Oceanográfico de Cádiz
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Christine Morrow
National University of Ireland Galway
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Bernard Picton
National Museums Northern Ireland
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Joana Xavier
CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto
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María Belén Arias
Natural History Museum
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Ana Riesgo
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
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Abstract

Little is known about dispersal in deep-sea sponges, yet understanding patterns of gene flow and connectivity is essential for their effective management. Given rising pressure from harmful anthropogenic activities, schemes that manage resource extraction whilst conserving species diversity are increasingly necessary. Here, we used ddRADseq derived SNPs to investigate the genetic diversity and connectivity for the deep-sea sponge Phakellia ventilabrum across the northeast Atlantic Ocean (from the Cantabrian Sea to Norway). The analysis of 166 individuals collected from 57 sampling stations were grouped into 17 different areas, including two MPAs, one SAC and other areas with different levels of protection. The 4,017 neutral SNPs we uncovered indicated high connectivity and panmixis amongst the majority of areas, spanning a ca. 2,500-kilometre range and depths of 99–900 m. This was likely due to the presence of strong ocean currents aiding larval transport, as supported by our migration analysis and also by 3D particle tracking modelling using information on the reproductive cycle of P. ventilabrum. We also observed significant genetic similarity between samples from the Cantabrian Sea and Roscoff (France) as compared to the remainder of the collection areas, likely arising from physical drivers such as prevailing current circulation patterns and topographic features, acting as barriers for gene flow. Despite this, our results suggest that all protected areas studied are well connected with each other. The relatively low genetic diversity observed in all areas, though, highlights the potential fragility of this species to changing climates, which might compromise resilience to future threats.