Genetic diversity of <i>Pomatoschistus microps</i> (Perciformes: Gobiidae) in ecologically differentiated estuarine systems

Abstract:
A landscape genetics approach was applied to common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) sampled from three estuaries (six sites) of the Portuguese coast. Individuals of each site were genotyped for eight microsatellite loci and levels of genetic diversity and differentiation were correlated to present-day estuarine characteristics and historical events. A general ecological state for each sampling site was obtained from a principal component analysis (PCA) applied to estuarine geomorphologic characteristics and levels of heavy metals and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination. Genetic diversity was higher than that previously reported for common goby in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. F-ST were generally very low (0.000-0.049), as well as Nei's genetic distances (0.000-0.167), although the later were statistically significant. Estuarine geomorphology and heavy metal contamination contributed the most to estuarine ecological differentiation but no trend was detected in the relationship between these characteristics and samples' genetic diversity. Mantel tests also revealed no significant relationships between geographic, genetic and ecological distances. Null alleles only contributed to explain significant Hardy-Weinberg departures in two of the eight loci scored, although disequilibria were detected in at least two loci per sample. Notwithstanding its exploratory character, results suggest an important role for historical factors in the timing and direction of P. microps colonization of the Portuguese estuaries. Environmental variation and P. microps ability to cope with it are also structuring factors in establishing and maintaining the patchy genetic diversity detected in the studied estuaries.