Data from: Population genetic signatures of a climate change driven marine range extension

Shifts in species distribution, or ‘range shifts’, are one of the most
commonly documented responses to ocean warming, with important
consequences for the function and structure of ecosystems, and for
socio-economic activities. Understanding the genetic signatures of range
shifts can help build our knowledge of the capacity of species to
establish and persist in colonised areas. Here, seven microsatellite loci
were used to examine the population connectivity, genetic structure and
diversity of Octopus tetricus, which has extended its distribution several
hundred kilometres polewards associated with the southwards extension of
the warm East Australian Current along south-eastern Australia. The
historical distribution and the range extension zones had significant
genetic differences but levels of genetic diversity were comparable. The
population in the range extension zone was sub-structured, contained
relatively high levels of self-recruitment and was sourced by migrants
from along the entire geographic distribution. Genetic bottlenecks and
changes in population size were detected throughout the range extension
axis. Persistent gene flow from throughout the historical zone and
moderate genetic diversity may buffer the genetic bottlenecks and favour
the range extension of O. tetricus. These characteristics may aid
adaptation, establishment, and long-term persistence of the population in
the range extension zone.