Data from: Genetic signatures through space, time and multiple disturbances in a ubiquitous brooding coral

The predominance of self-recruitment in many reef-building corals has
fundamental and complex consequences for their genetic diversity,
population persistence and responses to climate change. Knowledge of
genetic structure over local scales needs to be placed within a broad
spatial context, and also integrated with genetic monitoring through time
to disentangle these consequences. Here, we examined patterns of genetic
diversity over multiple spatio-temporal scales across tropical Australia
in the ubiquitous brooding coral, Seriatopora hystrix. We also analysed
complimentary environmental and demographic data to elucidate the seascape
drivers of these patterns. Large genetic differences was detected between
the east versus west coasts of Australia. In northwest Australia,
geographic differentiation dominated genetic structure over multiple
scales. However, three sympatric lineages were detected at the largest
offshore reef system (Scott Reef). Similar to the differences observed
among putative species in eastern Australia, these lineages were
associated with different levels of wave exposure. Local genetic structure
within the Scott Reef system was relatively stable over ten years, but
temporal differences were observed that reflected small but important
genetic changes over a few generations during recovery after severe
bleaching. These results highlight the importance of self-recruitment
together with occasional longer distance connectivity for the persistence
of a metapopulation across spatially and temporally variable environments.
Our multidimensional research provides a foundation for further long-term
genetic monitoring to inform conservation strategies and highlights that
sampling scales, ecological effects and cryptic diversity are important
considerations to develop realistic understanding of the evolutionary
resilience of corals.