Population genomics and connectivity of Vazella pourtalesii sponge grounds of the northwest Atlantic: conservation implications of deep- sea Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems

The manuscript is written on a habitat-forming glass sponge Vazella pourtalesii in NW Atlantic on Scotian and Florida/Carolina Shelves. Vazella forms unique sponge grounds on the Scotian shelf (Canada) which have been impacted by fisheries (bottom trawling), targeting rockfish and pollock. Two sponge conservation areas were established to protect the diversity, however, the data on connectivity, genetic diversity of the species was limited, and it was unclear the level of diversity preserved within the conservation areas. The study goal was to investigate the genetic diversity, structure, and estimate connectivity and dispersal using a RAD sequencing combined with a population genomics approach as well as assessing genetic diversity levels in areas open versus closed to bottom fisheries on the Scotian Shelf.