Genetic structure of the polychaete Nereis grubei in the context of current patterns and life history

Abstract

Pelagic larval duration and other life history features have been shown to affect the gene flow of marine species. Inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) were used to study the genetic structure of 13 putative populations of a polychaete species (Nereididae: Nereis grubei) in the Southern California Bight over a short geographic distance (300 km maximum). This species has a short 5 d larval duration and dies following mating (semelparous). Isolation by distance was not identified, with genetic distance high even among populations separated by short distances. Assignment tests using STRUCTURE indicated few recent immigrants within samples. Self-recruitment appears to be the norm for N. grubei populations within the Southern California Bight, consistent with a semelparous reproductive strategy. © Inter-Research 2013.