Genetic connectivity of Stegastes acapulcoensis (Pomacentridae) on Mexican central Pacific

Abstract

The family Pomacentridae includes fish species that are abundant on coral reef systems, like the ones included on Stegastes genus with organisms that in adult stage are herbivore, territorial and dependent of a substrate for reproduction. We analyzed the genetic connectivity of Stegastes acapulcoensis between sites of the Mexican Pacific, separated for a maximum geographic distance of 435 km. We assess the genetic differentiation between four sites with four microsatellite loci and traditional estimative methods, having as a result values of FST = 0.0017 (p < 0.01) and RST = 0.0279 (p < 0.01). Equally, with DEST and Bayesian methods null or little genetic differentiation between sites was detected. These results are explained considering the dispersal ability of S. acapulcoensis on its pelagic larval stage, which follows the Mexican West Current pattern. Finally, due our results we suggest that it is possible to infer that other demersal fish species may present the same connectivity pattern. The present work constitutes the first evidence that suggests the necessity to join seven priority marine areas of Mexico into a unique continual area.