Population Genetics Assessment of the Model Coral Species <i>Stylophora pistillata</i> from Eilat, the Red Sea

Abstract

The successful management of coral reefs necessitates understanding the genetic characteristics of reefs’ populations since levels of genetic diversity play a critical role in their resilience, enabling them to withstand environmental changes with greater efficacy. To assess the genetic diversity and connectivity of the widespread Indo-Pacific coral, Stylophora pistillata, eight microsatellite loci were employed on 380 tissue samples collected from eight sites along the northern Gulf of Eilat, Red Sea. We documented deviations from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and observed low heterozygosity and high values of expected heterozygosity (0.59 and 0.82, respectively). The relatively high FST values and STRUCTURE analysis results showed population fragmentation along the short coastline (S. pistillata residing in an urbanized northern Red Sea reef and reinforces the need for better management of the current MPA, employing future active coral reef restoration in the area.

Keywords

• <i>Stylophora pistillata</i>
• microsatellite markers
• population genetics
• connectivity
• gene flow
• Gulf of Eilat