Population Genetics of Cuba’s Scleractinian Corals

Abstract

Cuba's coasts support a large area of diverse and relatively healthy coral communities that are centrally located at the interface of the northern Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean, thus physically connected to coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic via oceanographic currents. However, we are only beginning to quantify the genetic diversity, structure, and connectivity among coral populations in Cuba. There are limited coral population genetic data available in the country, yet the studies that have been already conducted provide critical information for coral reef managers to increase the efficacy of their marine conservation approaches. In this chapter, we review the available population genetic data for scleractinian corals on the Cuban shelf and discuss the potential implications of these patterns on coral conservation actions in Cuba. Furthermore, we identify persisting gaps in our understanding of Cuban coral population genetics and recommend potential future studies to address these gaps. Finally, we propose novel and feasible methods for implementing conservation genetics to improve conservation management in Cuban waters.