A study of the population genetics of giant clams of the genus Tridacna from the Great Barrier Reef and the West Pacific. Variations in gene frequencies of allozymes and common proteins were used to estimate connectivity and dispersal between populations, and to determine the phylogeny of the genus (discrete species identities). Species studied were Hippopus hippopus, Hippopus porcellanus, Tridacna crocea, Tridacna derasa, Tridacna gigas, Tridacna maxima, Tridacna squamosa and Tridacna tevora. Not all loci were examined for all species.Allele frequencies at 6 polymorphic loci of 860 individual clams sampled from 19 populations of Tridacna maxima throughout the Pacific between November 1989 and October 1991 were examined. Collection locations were: Myrmidon, Davies, Michaelmas, Thetford, 13125, 21200, 20396 and Stapleton Reefs on the Great Barrier Reef; Marovo and Nggela in the Solomon Islands; Mili in the Marshall Islands; Bantayan and Tawi-tawi in the Philippines; Te puka in Tuvalu; Abiang and Abemana in Kiribati; Makogai and Makodragi in Fiji; and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands. Loci were: LDH-1, MDH-2, PGM-2, DIA, LGG-1, GSR.Seven polymorphic loci (GPI, MDH-1, PGM, DIAPH, AK, LGG-1, LGG-2) from 159 individuals of T. gigas were sampled from 7 populations thoughout the West Pacific (Marovo, Russell, Isabel and Nggela in the Solomon Islands; Silliman in the Philippines; Abemana in Kiribati; and Mili in the Marshall Islands) and compared to data previously obtained in 1990 from 393 individuals from 6 populations (Myrmidon, Grub, Michaelmas, Thetford, 13125 and Stapleton Reefs) from the Great Barrier Reef.28-40 individuals from 14 populations of Tridacna derasa were sampled from sites on the Great Barrier Reef (2 sites from each of Myrmidon, Bowl, 13125, 21200, 20396; and one site from Michaelmas and Escape Reefs), and from one site each in the Philippines (Scarborough Shoals) and Fiji (Makogai). Gene frequencies at 9 polymorphic loci (GPI, LDH-1, MDH-1, MDH-2, PGM, DIAPH, LGG-1, ENOL, GSR)were examined.Gene frequencies at 26 loci for 8 species of giant clam were examined. Samples were obtained between November 1989 and October 1991. Source and number of individuals sampled was: Hippopus porcellanus (Philippines, 3); Hippopus hippopus (3 -Great Barrier Reef); Tridacna squamosa (8 - GBR, Fiji, Solomon Islands); Tridacna crocea (6 - GBR, Solomon Islands); Tridacna maxima (9 - GBR, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands); Tridacna gigas (9 - GBR, Solomon Islands, Kiribati); Tridacna derasa (9 - GBR, Fiji, Palau); Tridacna tevora (1- Fiji). Polymorphic loci examined were: AAT-1, AK-1, AK-2, DIA-1, ENO-1, EST-1, GPI-1, GSR-1, IDH-1, LDH-1, LDH-2, LGG-1, LGG-2, LP-1, LP-2, LP-3, MDH-1, MDH-2, ME-1, MPI-1, NDH-1, NDH-2, PGK-1, PGM-1, PGM-2. To estimate connectivity and dispersal between Tridacna populations, and to determine the discrete species identities.

A study of the population genetics of Zoanthid species in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait. Variations in gene frequencies of allozymes and common proteins were used to estimate connectivity and dispersal between populations, and to determine their phylogeny (discrete species identities). Zoanthus coppingeri was studied in greater detail.In 1992-1993, 1261 samples of Palythoa sp. were collected from 2 backreef sites at each of 19 reefs (at least 30 individuals per site) and one site at Hope Island (analysis suggested that all samples were Palythoa caesia). Seven enzymes (GPI, EST-D, MPI, MDH, ME, PGM, HK) were used in the analysis. BIOSYS-1 was used to calculate gene frequencies and genetic variablity.355 specimens were collected from 19 locations 1992-1994. 7 species were identified (Palythoa caesia, Protopalythoa mutuki, Pro. sp.2, Pro. sp.3, Sphenopus marsupialis, Zoanthus coppingeri and Z. vietnamensis) form the samples. Gene frequencies at 13 enzyme loci (ENO, EST-D, GP, HK,LGG-1, LGG-2, LP, LT-1, LT-2, MDH-1, MDH-2, ME, PGM) were analysed. UPGMA cluster analysis was carried out and a phylogenic tree constructed for assessing genetic variablity. A taxonomic key was created for Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Zoanthidae, as well as a table of diagnostic features for 10 morphological groupings of Zoanthidae and one species (Parazoanthus dichroicus) of Parazoanthidae.During 1992-1993, 319 samples of intertidal Zoanthus coppingeri were collected from Kissing Point, Townsville and 2 sites each at Cockle Bay on Magnetic Island and Low Island (Low Isles). Six polymorphic enzymes (ENO, MDH, EST-D, HK, PGM, LGG) were used in the analysis at site level, subsite level and locality level. Values of genetic differentiation were calculated. To estimate connectivity and dispersal between populations, and to determine discrete species identities.To examine patterns of clonal structure within populations of Z. coppingeri. Collection locations: 11087, 11102, 21299, 21491, 21551, Border Island, Bowden, Cape Cleveland, Cockle Bay (Magnetic Island), Endeavour, Goods Island, Heron Island, Hope Island, Hyde, John Brewer, Kissing Point (Townsville), Low Isles, Mabuiag Island, Magnetic Island, Myrmidon, Orpheus Island, Pandora, Pelorus, Pith, Rib, Ross, Ruby, Stucco, Tuesday Island, Turtle, Wistari Reefs.

Genetic variation was studied at 7 polymorphic allozyme loci in 15 Holothuria nobilis (now referred to as H. whitmaei) populations on the Great Barrier Reef. The 7 polymorphic enzyme loci surveyed using allozyme electrophoresis were: FL-EST, GPI, HK, MDH, MPI, PGM, TPI. Full details of staining and electrophoresis methods are given in:Ballment E, Uthicke S, Peplow L, Benzie JAH (1997) Techniques for enzyme electrophoretic analysis of the holothurians Holothuria atra and Stichopus chloronotus (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida). Aust Inst Mar Sci (AIMS) Tech Rep Ser 27:1-47Basic analyses of genetic variability were carried out using programs in the BIOSYS-1. F-statistics, cluster analyses and tests of conformation to Hardy-Weinberg expectations were performed using the TFPGA package. To infer the level of dispersal among populations of Holothuria nobilis separated by up to 1300 km along the Great Barrier Reef by investigating gene flow.To test whether asexual reproduction is a feature of this species. Reef locations: 13-050, 21-149, 21-151, Big Broadhurst, Davie, Davies Reef, East Cay, Hicks, Little Broadhurst, Michaelmas, Opal, Ribbon No.10, Stucco, Turner, White Tip.

Within-region genetic heterogeneity of Holothuria scabra populations in New Caledonia was examined through allozyme electrophoresis. Five locations, each separated by 60-130 km, were selected along the coast of New Caledonia and 2 replicate sites (8-23 km apart) were chosen within 4 of these locations on the west coast of the island. Only one site was selected on the northeast coast. Between 14 and 34 adult Holothuria scabra were collected from each site. A short section of the upper intestine (5-10 cm), without sediments, was dissected from each animal and stored in liquid nitrogen until analysed. Holothuria scabra samples from Bali (n=90) and Knocker Bay, Australia (n=47), and existing data from the western Pacific: Solomon Islands; Torres Strait; and the Queensland Coast (Upstart Bay and Hervey Bay) were compared with the data from New Caledonia to investigate larval connectivity over a wider geographic scale. Seven polymorphic enzyme loci were surveyed using allozyme electrophoresis: GPI, HK, MDH, PEP-1, PEP-2, PEP-3 and PGM. Basic analyses of genetic variability (allele frequencies, number of polymorphic loci, heterozygosity) were carried out. The allelic richness for each population was calculated. F statistics were calculated and genetic distance analyses, cluster analyses and Mantel tests were performed. This research was undertaken to improve understanding of the genetic differentiation between stocks of Holothuria scabra at different spatial scales so that the release of cultured juveniles in restocking programs can be planned in a responsible way to preserve the genetic diversity of existing stocks. Sampling sites in New Caledonia: A=Baie de Sainte-Marie; B= Ilot Maître; C=Ouano; D=Ilots Kundogi; E=Plateau de Béco; F=Pointe Pindaï; G=Pouangué; H=Ouaco; I=Récif Thaavaam (Ilot Cocotier).

Starch gel electrophoresis was used to examine genetic variation in five widely separated populations of the mangrove Rhizophora stylosa Griff. Shoots containing leaves and well developed apical buds were collected between March and August 1987 from Darwin, the Daintree River, 2 sites at Missionary Bay (Hinchinbrook Island), Chunda Bay (Cape Ferguson) and Lardelli Creek (Ayr). No two trees at each sampling site were separated by more than 1km, except for the Daintree River site, which was sampled over 2km.A suitable extraction buffer was developed by modifying a buffer developed by Dr Gavin Moran (CSIRO) for eucalypts and acacias.Twenty eight enzymes were investigated for the Rhizophora stylosa samples (ACP, ACON, AK, ADH, ALD, AAT, EST(FL), FH, BetaGAL, G6PD, GPI, GDH, GSR, GAPDH, HK, IDH, LAP, LGGP, LTP, LPP, MDH, ME, MDR, PER, PGM, 6PGD, SKDH, TPI). Fourteen enzymes were resolved adequately for these samples (ACON, AAT, GPI, GDH, GSR, HK, IDH, LAP, LTP, MDH, ME, PER, 6PGD, TPI).Other Rhizophoraceae successfully tested for enzyme activity in leaf and apical bud tissue, using the same methods were Rhizophora apiculata Blume, R. lamarckii Montr., R. mucronata Lamarck, Bruguiera gymnorhiza Lamarck, Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou, C. tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob. var. tagal and C. tagal var. australis C.T. White. Other mangrove species producing clear repeatable results included Lumnitzera racemosa Willdenow, Xylocarpus australasicus Ridley, Sonneratia alba J.E. Smith, Acrostichum speciosum Willdenow, Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. and A. officinalis Linnaeus.While leaves and buds were chosen initially, due to their year round availability, whole anthers and the plumule of the progagule of Rhizophora stylosa were also successfully tested for enzyme activity. This research was undertaken to:1. develop an effective extraction buffer to counteract the effect of complex secondary metabolites in mangroves, which denature proteins during enzyme extraction.2. develop techniques for the electrophoresis of mangrove tissue and to use these to investigate genetic variability in Rhizophora stylosa and other Rhizophoraceae.

Allozyme variation was examined in 7 species and 4 varieties of Caulerpa sampled from the central Great Barrier Reef region. The species examined were: Caulerpa racemosa, (vars imbricata, laetevirens, and racemosa, and a peltate morph of C. racemosa), C. cupressoides, C. lentillifera, C. peltata, C. serrulata, C. sertularioides, and C. taxifolia.Differences were examined between species and between populations of the same taxon sampled from different geographical locations, and typically included fixed gene differences (no alleles found in one taxon shared by the other taxon) at two or more loci.Cluster and cladistic analyses were carried out. Eight of 13 plants identified initially as C. serrulata were distinguished at several loci, indicating the presence of an undetermined cryptic taxon. Population genetic analysis of polymorphisms, which occurred in some taxa, demonstrated strong spatial differentiation among some populations and significant but variable degrees of clonality and/or inbreeding within these populations.Allozymes proved to be a useful tool for defining species boundaries and investigating population structure in Caulerpa, but not for determining phylogenetic relationships within the genus.Collection locations: Shelly Beach (SB), Cape Pallarenda (CP), Kissing Point (KP), The Strand (ST), The Breakwater at Townsville Harbour (EB), Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island (HB), Lodestone Reef (LR). To examine differences between species and between populations of the same taxon sampled from different geographical locations.

17 to 141 individuals were collected from 8 populations of the fished holothurian species Holothuria scabra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea), from north-east Australia, the Torres Strait, and the Solomon Islands and investigated by allozyme electrophoresis of 7 polymorphic loci.Two shallow populations of Holothuria scabra were sampled in the area of Hervey Bay (Urangan, Tin Can Bay) in south Queensland during June 1998. Individuals from a deeper population in Hervey Bay (18-20 m) were obtained during 3 trawl shots using commercial prawn-trawling equipment.One intertidal population was sampled ca. 800 km north Upstart Bay in 1998. Data from these samples were used in a previous study investigating the relationship between 2 colour morphs and the gene flow between deep and shallow populations. This population was re-sampled in May 2000 to investigate whether gene frequencies and the small size of individuals (as found in 1998) were stable over time.During August 1999, samples were obtained from 2 reefs in the Torres Strait at the northern end of the GBR (Warrior Reef, Dungeness Reef). Two locations in the Solomon Islands, Kohinggo Island (Solomon Island A) and Kolombangarra Island (Solomon Island B), were sampled in December 1999.Samples from intertidal populations were taken during low tides by walking on the mud flats. During these periods, holothurians in shallow tide pools, usually with at least a sparse seagrass cover, migrate to the surface of the sediment. Since large areas had to be covered to obtain sufficient individuals, no effort was made to obtain subsamples within each of the populations. The length of all individuals was recorded to the nearest centimetre. A subsample of the gut lining (cleaned from sediments) was snap frozen in liquid nitrogen for later analyses.Seven polymorphic enzyme loci were surveyed using allozyme electrophoresis: PGM, HK, GPI, MDH, PEP-1, PEP-2 and PEP-3. Full details of staining and electrophoresis methods are given in:Ballment E, Uthicke S, Peplow L, Benzie JAH (1997) Techniques for enzyme electrophoretic analysis of the holothurians Holothuria atra and Stichopus chloronotus (Holothuroidea: Aspidochirotida). Aust Inst Mar Sci (AIMS) Tech Rep Ser 27:1-47Basic analyses of genetic variability were carried out using programs in the BIOSYS-1. F-statistics, cluster analyses and tests of conformation to Hardy-Weinberg expectations were performed using the TFPGA package. The contribution of asexual reproduction to each population was calculated as described in detail in:Uthicke S, Benzie JAH, Ballment E (1998) Genetic structure of fissiparous populations of Holothuria (Halodeima) atra on the Great Barrier Reef. Mar Biol 132:141-151. Deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for each locus at each reef were tested by an exact-test, using the conventional Monte Carlo method with the default settings in TFPGA. To test for evidence of isolation by distance, Mantel¿s tests were performed on transformed (log + 1) geographic distance (km) and Rogers' genetic distances. The significance of Mantel's normalised Z was tested by 10000 random permutations using NTSYS-PC software. The aim of the study was to investigate gene flow between populations separated by different geographic scales (~20-2000 km), along the north-east coast of Australia, Torres Strait and the Solomon Islands, to provide information on connectivity to assist management and add to fundamental knowledge on the biology of this ecologically and economically important species.

This record is derived from DEC Marine Policy Branch Endnote library and spatially referenced SIER Database.

The geographically closed, non-migratory populations of endangered Laysan Teal (Anas laysanensis) were sampled in the wild. This species was once widespread across the Hawaiian archipelago, but became isolated on Laysan Island (415 ha) from the mid-1800s until 2004 when a translocation to Midway Atoll (596 ha) was undertaken to reduce extinction risks. We compared genetic diversity and quantified variation at microsatellite loci sampled from 229 individuals from the wild populations at Laysan Island (1999–2009) and Midway Atoll (2007–2010; n = 133 Laysan, n = 96 Midway birds). We identified polymorphic markers by screening nuclear microsatellites (N = 83). Low nuclear variation was detected, consistent with the species’ insular isolation and historical bottleneck. Six of 83 microsatellites were polymorphic.

This data package is comprised of one table with genetic data from Brant (Branta bernicla). Data include sampling location and allele sizes of 14 microsatellite loci.