Abstract

Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh is distributed in patches along the Farasan archipelago coast and is the most common mangrove species in the Red Sea. However, to date, no studies have been directed towards understanding its genetic variation in the Farasan archipelago. In this investigation, genetic variations within and among natural populations of Avicennia marina in the Farasan archipelago were studied using 15 microsatellite markers. The study found 142 alleles on 15 loci in nine populations. The observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity values were 0.351 and 0.391, respectively, which are much lower than those of earlier studies on A. marina in the Arabian Gulf. An inbreeding effect from self-pollination might explain its heterozygote deficiency. Population genetic differentiation (FST = 0.301) was similar to other mangrove species. Our findings suggest that the sea current direction and coastal geomorphology might affect genetic dispersal of A. marina. The more isolated populations with fewer connections by sea currents exhibited lower genetic variation and differentiation between populations. The genetic clustering of populations fell into three main groups—Group 1 (populations of Farasan Alkabir Island), Group 2 (populations of Sajid Island), and Group 3 (mix of one population of Farasan Alkabir Island and a population of Zifaf Island). More genetic variation and less genetic differentiation occurred when the population was not isolated and had a direct connection with sea currents. Both of these factors contributed to limited propagule dispersal and produced significant structures among the population. It is expected that the results of this research will be useful in determining policy and species-conservation strategies and in the rehabilitation of A. marina mangrove stands on the Farasan islands in an effort to save this significant natural resource.

Highlights

  • Mangroves are trees or shrubs found in coastal areas, lagoons, estuaries, and deltas

  • This could lead to a loss of genetic diversity through increased population fragmentation of A. marina in the Farasan archipelago

  • The use of microsatellites to assess the genetic diversity of natural populations can support the improved conservation of A. marina in the Farasan archipelago, which may be one of the most important issues facing the future of mangrove forestry practices

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Summary

Introduction

Mangroves are trees or shrubs found in coastal areas, lagoons, estuaries, and deltas. They form the main vegetation in tidal and saline wetlands, in turn providing habitats for many other species [1]. They are present in the tropics [2], and grow in mud with a flow of freshwater bringing nutrients [3]. America (15%), Oceania (12%), and South America (11%) [4] They play a vital role in marine life and fisheries by providing food and shelter for a large and varied group of marine organisms, including fish and shellfish [5], and protect coastal areas from storms and sea level rises [6]. Many mangrove forests have been converted to productive lands for agriculture and aquaculture [7]

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