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First insight of genetic diversity, phylogeographic relationships and population structure of marine sponge Chondrosia reniformis from the eastern and western Mediterranean coasts of Tunisia
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  • Maha Moussa,
  • Sarra Choulak,
  • Soumaya Rhouma-Chatti,
  • Noureddine Chatti,
  • Khaled Said
Maha Moussa
University of Monastir

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Sarra Choulak
University of Monastir Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir
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Soumaya Rhouma-Chatti
University of Monastir Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir
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Noureddine Chatti
University of Monastir Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir
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Khaled Said
University of Monastir Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir
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Abstract

The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was amplified and analyzed for 70 Mediterranean Chondrosia reniformis, collected from eight localities in Tunisia. Polymorphism results revealed high values of haplotype diversity (Hd) and very low nucleotide diversity (π). Thus, these results suggest that our sponge populations of C. reniformis may have undergone a bottleneck followed by rapid demographic expansion. This suggestion is strongly confirmed by the results of neutrality tests and “mismatch distribution”. The important number of haplotypes between localities and the high genetic differentiation (Fst ranged from 0.590 to 0.788) of the current C. reniformis populations could be maintained by the limited gene flow Nm (0.10 - 0.18). Both haplotype Network and the biogeographic analysis showed a structured distribution according to the geographic origin. C. reniformis populations are subdivided into two major clades: Western and Eastern Mediterranean. This pattern seems to be associated with the well-known discontinuous biogeographic area: the Siculo-Tunisian Strait, which separates two water bodies circulating with different hydrological, physical, and chemical characteristics. The short dispersal of pelagic larvae of C. reniformis and the marine bio-geographic barrier created high differentiation among populations. Additionally, it is noteworthy to mention that the “Mahres / Kerkennah” group diverged from Eastern groups in a single sub-clade. This result was expected, the region Mahres / Kerkennah, presented a particular marine environment.
29 Oct 2021Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
12 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
12 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
17 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Dec 20211st Revision Received
10 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
10 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
10 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Jan 2022Published in Ecology and Evolution volume 12 issue 1. 10.1002/ece3.8494