Genome-wide SNP genotyping reveals hidden population structure of an acroporid species at a subtropical coral island: Implications for coral restoration

It is essential to consider genetic composition for both conventional coral restoration management and for expanding new interventions to counter the significant global decline in living corals. Population genetic structure at fine spatial scale should be carefully evaluated before implementing strategies to achieve self-sustaining ecosystems via coral restoration. Here, we investigated the population genetic structure of two acroporid species at Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan. 140 colonies of Acropora digitifera from 7 study sites, and 81 colonies of Acropora tenuis from 6 sites were collected. We obtained 384 SNP loci for A. digitifera and 470 SNPs for A. tenuis using a comparatively economical technique, Multiplexed ISSR Genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq). Observed heterozygosity was significantly lower than expected heterozygosity at all SNP sites in both acroporid species, suggesting deficient genetic diversity possibly caused by past massive coral bleaching. Even though both species ...