F. Alberto et al., Genetic homogeneity in the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa at its northern Atlantic limit revealed through RAPD, MAR ECOL-PR, 221, 2001, pp. 299-301
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyse the ge
netic variability of the dioecious seagrass Cymodocea nodosa Ucria (Aschers
on) in the Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal, the species' northern limit in the
Atlantic. Three individuals from each of 6 meadows were genotyped with 28
primers. Meadows described previously as having flower marks were compared
with meadows where flowers did not occur. A single polymorphic band, specif
ic for one meadow, was observed in a total of 177 fragments. The lack of ge
netic variability among meadows both with and without flower indicates that
flower production is not associated with a higher level of genetic variati
on. The genetic homogeneity of C, nodosa in the Ria Formosa suggests a foun
der effect, produced by a single or a limited number of migrants composing
the colonising gene pool, This hypothesis is supported by the geographic is
olation from other populations as the nearest populations lie more than 300
km away from the Ria Formosa. The lack of reproductive success of C, nodos
a in Ria Formosa natural park and its low genetic variability are important
factors in the conservation of this species since recolonisation can only
occur through vegetative growth.