Genetic Diversity and Phylogeography of Marine Organisms
Summary
The genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of marine organisms underpin our understanding of how historical events and contemporary processes have shaped biodiversity in the world’s oceans. Genetic diversity denotes the variation in gene frequencies within and between populations, providing the raw material for adaptation and resilience. Phylogeography combines genetic data with spatial distributions to trace lineage origins, colonisation pathways and barriers to gene flow. Advances in molecular sequencing and statistical modelling have revealed that glacial cycles, sea-level fluctuations and ocean currents have repeatedly fragmented and reconnected marine populations, establishing refugial strongholds and driving rapid post-glacial expansions. Case studies across macroalgae, molluscs and fish demonstrate the interaction of life-history traits—such as larval dispersal potential and asexual propagation—with environmental gradients to produce patterns of endemism and genetic homogeneity. These insights inform conservation by identifying cryptic lineages and evolutionarily significant units that may be vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change.
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Genetic Diversity and Phylogeography of Marine Organisms publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in genetic diversity and phylogeography of marine organisms across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Genetic diversity: The range of genetic variation within and between populations, essential for adaptation and ecosystem resilience.
Phylogeography: The integration of genetic and geographic data to infer the historical processes governing lineage distributions.
Haplotype: A set of genetic variants at multiple loci that are inherited together, representing a lineage within a population.
Last Glacial Maximum: The period around 21,000 years ago when global ice sheets were at their peak, lowering sea levels and reshaping marine habitats.
Refugia: Locations where populations survived adverse climatic conditions, acting as sources for later expansion and recolonisation.
References
- Climate‐induced range shifts shaped the present and threaten the future genetic variability of a marine brown alga in the Northwest Pacific. Evolutionary Applications (2021).
- Population Genetic Structure and Phylogeography of Co-Distributed Pachymeniopsis Species (Rhodophyta) along the Coast of Korea and Japan. Diversity (2021).
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