Explore the vast range of titles available.

Studies of genetic diversity and population genetic structure in deep-sea fauna mainly focus on vulnerable marine ecosystem (VME) indicator taxa, whilst relatively few studies have focussed on VME-associated taxa whose distributions are not exclusively limited to VMEs. Knowledge of genetic connectivity (gene flow) amongst populations of VME-associated taxa, such as squat lobsters, will contribute to ongoing management decision-making related to the protection of VMEs. To better understand the genetic diversity and genetic structure of squat lobster populations (Munida isos, M. endeavourae and M. gracilis) at different spatial scales (biogeographic provinces, regions, and geomorphic features) in the southwest Pacific Ocean, mitochondrial COI region and nuclear microsatellite markers were employed. Overall, the levels of genetic diversity were high for the COI region and moderate for the microsatellite loci across the three Munida species. AMOVA of COI variation revealed no significant genetic differentiation, whereas AMOVA of microsatellite variation revealed significant genetic differentiation amongst the three species, but at different spatial scales. Based on microsatellite variation, a range of analyses (Structure, PCoA, DAPC) provided some evidence of limited genetic differentiation at different spatial scales across the three species. Low to moderate levels of assignment success (~40–60%) based on microsatellite variation were achieved for the three Munida species, suggesting high levels of gene flow and possible panmixia. Nonetheless, for Munida isos, populations from the Tasmanian slope were genetically differentiated from all other populations and may act as source populations, whereas populations from the Kermadec Ridge region may be sink populations for all three Munida species. Our results highlight the need to consider gene flow at trans-national scales when managing anthropogenic impacts on VMEs. The results are discussed in the context of existing marine protected areas, which can contribute new information useful to the management of VMEs within the southwest Pacific Ocean.

Munida isos is a deep sea squat lobster species that is widely distributed across the New Zealand and east Australian region, and is often associated with deep sea vulnerable marine ecosystems. To investigate its population genetic structure and patterns of regional connectivity, microsatellite loci were developed for M. isos from two genomic libraries using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing platform. Twenty-six loci amplified consistently in M. isos from the Tasman Sea, among which 20 were polymorphic and selectively neutral. Evidence of null alleles was observed at eight loci. Most loci exhibited moderate to high levels of polymorphism, with an average polymorphic information content value of 0.482. The mean number of alleles per locus was 7.45, with a mean expected heterozygosity of 0.520. Thirteen loci exhibited significant deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, while only one locus pair was in linkage disequilibrium after false discovery rate correction for multiple testing ( P<0.05 ). Cross-species amplification tests revealed that the transferability of 14 loci (70%) was positive for the two congeners M. endeavourae and M. gracilis. The accessibility to new polymorphic microsatellite loci will facilitate population genetic studies and aid in developing conservation and management strategies for vulnerable marine ecosystems.