Characterisation of microsatellite loci in the subtidal habitat-forming alga, Phyllospora comosa (Phaeophyceae, Fucales)

© 2008 Springer. Part of Springer Science+Business MediaHabitat-forming macroalgae play a central role in the ecology of temperate reefs worldwide but there exists a critical lack of knowledge about important processes such as dispersal and gene flow. Understanding dispersal and gene flow of habitat-forming seaweeds is particularly pertinent given that loss of habitat-forming algae is an increasingly prevalent problem worldwide. Here, we develop 10 microsatellite markers for the monotypic Phyllospora comosa, an important habitat-forming macroalga that has undergone massive declines on urbanised coastlines of Sydney, Australia. We characterise population genetic diversity and structure and estimate levels of dispersal and gene flow between the geographically isolated northern and southern populations in this subtidal macroalga.Melinda A. Coleman, Gaynor Dolman, Brendan P. Kelaher and Peter D. Steinber