2. Behavioral Biology TALKS - Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft

����99 Maximilian Schweinsberg
Intracolonial genetic variability in the scleractinian coral Acropora hyacinthus
Authors: Maximilian Schweinsberg 1 , Raul Gonzales-Pech 1 , Kathrin P. Lampert 1 , Ralph
Tollrian 1
Affiliation: 1 Lehrstuhl für Evolutionsökologie und Biodiversität der Tiere, Ruhr
Universität Bochum
Coral reef degradation is a major economical and ecological concern. Consequently,
coral reef conservation is a main goal of environmental protection. To protect reefs
effectively, information about the genetic diversity of populations and the gene flow
between sites are necessary. Population genetic data on coral species are therefore
of prime scientific interest.
In addition, in recent years, the new phenomenon of intracolonial genetic variability
within a single coral colony has been described. This connotes that coral colonies do
not necessarily consist of only a single genotype, but contain several distinct
genotypes. Harboring more than one genotype might allow for fast adaptation under
rapidly changing environmental conditions. However, so far it remained unclear if the
intracolonial genetic variability is transferred into the next generation or only exists
within the adult colony.
We investigated the occurrence of intracolonial genetic variability using eight
microsatellite loci in 15 adult colonies of the hermatypic coral Acropora hyacinthus.
We analyzed eight tissue samples and the respective eight egg/sperm bundles per
colony to determine whether different genotypes are present and passed onto the
next generation. Our results indicate that several different genotypes can occur
within the parent colony, and in the egg/sperm bundles.
Our results show that during reproduction of the coral Acropora hyacinthus more
than one genotype per coral colony is transferred into the next generation potentially
ensuring the colony’s survival as well as reproductive success. Understanding the
transfer of genotypes between generations will help us to better understand coral
reef genetic diversity and site connectivity.
����100 Martin Schwentner
Cyclestheria hislopi (Crustacea: Branchiopoda): a group of morphologically cryptic
species with origins in the Cretaceous
Authors: Martin Schwentner 1 , Simon Clavier 1 , Jørgen Olesen 1 , Sameer Padhye 1 , Brian
V. Timms 1 , Stefan Richter 1
Affiliation: 1 Universität Rostock, Allgemeine und Spezielle Zoologie, Institut für
Biowissenschaften
Cyclestheria hislopi is thought to be the only extant species of the Cyclestherida. It
represents the sister taxon of all Cladocera, featuring morphological characteristics
intermediate of Spinicaudata and Cladocera. Employing one mitochondrial (COI) and
two nuclear (EF1? and 28S rRNA) markers we tested the hypothesis that C. hislopi
represents a single circumtropic species. We included South American (French
Guiana), Asian (India, Singapore) and several Australian populations. Phylogenetic
and genetic distance analyses revealed remarkable intercontinental genetic
differentiation (uncorrected p-distances COI > 13 %, EF1? > 3 % and 28S > 4 %). Each
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