Dispersal plays a fundamental role in the evolution and persistence of species, and especially for species inhabiting extreme, ephemeral and highly fragmented habitats as hydrothermal vents. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge endemic shrimp species Rimicaris exoculata was studied using microsatellite markers to infer connectivity along the 7100-Km range encompassing the sampled sites. Astonishingly, no genetic differentiation was found between individuals from the different geographic origins, supporting a scenario of widespread large-scale dispersal despite the habitat distance and fragmentation. We hypothesize that delayed metamorphosis associated to temperature differences or even active directed migration dependent on physical and/or chemical stimuli could explain these results and warrant further studies on adaptation and dispersal mechanisms. © 2012 Teixeira et al.
CITATION STYLE
Teixeira, S., Serrão, E. A., & Arnaud-Haond, S. (2012). Panmixia in a fragmented and unstable environment: The hydrothermal shrimp Rimicaris exoculata disperses extensively along the Mid-Atlantic ridge. PLoS ONE, 7(6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0038521
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