Cross-correlations and time lags between observations and predictions.

<p>Cross-correlations (<i>r</i>) and time lags (d, in brackets) between observations and predicted time series, for the different Invasion model experiments and years. Reported values refer to maximum cross-correlations in each case, which were always significant at the 5% level.</p

Predicted trajectory density and observed larval abundance in coastal waters.

<p>Onshore/offshore distribution of trajectory density predicted by the Base experiments with (light blue) and without (dark blue) diel vertical migration for (A) 2006 and (B) 2007; and (C) abundance of larvae (all stages combined) recorded by the Heincke 09 cruise in April of 1991, normalized by area of sea surface. Trajectory density was calculated between the parallels 40°00′ and 41°30′N, which was the area sampled by the cruise. The broken line in each panel represents the average position of the shelf break at ca. 43 km from shore.</p

Estimates of the average realized dispersal of successfully recruiting larvae.

<p>Average dispersal distance (km) of successfully recruiting larvae (realized dispersal) for the different Invasion model experiments and years.</p

Observed and predicted time series of supply in 2006.

<p>(A) Daily numbers of observed megalopal supply (continuous line), along-shore wind stress (dashed line) and spring tides (tidal range larger than long-term average range, grey bars) in the Ria de Aveiro in 2006; and predicted time series of supply by the Invasion experiments with (B) normal, (C) fast and (D) slow growth rates with (dashed line) and without (continuous line) mortality, for the same year.</p

Observed and predicted time series of supply in 2007.

<p>(A) Daily numbers of observed megalopal supply (continuous line), along-shore wind stress (dashed line) and spring tides (tidal range larger than long-term average range, grey bars) in the Ria de Aveiro in 2007; and predicted time series of supply by the Invasion experiments with (B) normal, (C) fast and (D) slow growth rates with (dashed line) and without (continuous line) mortality, for the same year.</p

Map of the study zone and model domains.

<p>(A) first domain (FD); (B) large domain (LD); (C) location of estuaries used in the model showing the shelf area adjacent to each estuary where larvae were emitted and recruited; (D) Ria de Aveiro; and (E) Canal de Mira. (C) also shows details of the 50, 100, 250 and 500 m isobaths of the smoothed bathymetry used in the model. Arrow in (E) indicates location where the passive nets were deployed.</p

Effect of PLD on larval distance.

<p>Average dispersal distance of successfully recruiting larvae supplied to the Ria de Aveiro from northern estuaries as a function of planktonic larval duration predicted by the Invasion models.</p

Sampling sites in the Mediterranean.

<p>Reefs impacted by mass mortality events (in black) and healthy reefs (in white).</p

High genetic differentiation of red gorgonian populations from the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea

<p>Patterns of genetic variation within a species may be used to infer past events in the evolutionary history of marine species. In the present study we aimed to compare the genetic diversity of the red gorgonian <i>Paramuricea clavata</i> in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. For genetic markers we used microsatellites and a mitochondrial gene fragment. Our results revealed a distinct genetic composition and diversity between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The Mediterranean samples had higher microsatellite heterozygosity, allelic richness and private allelic richness. The hypotheses that can explain these patterns are the isolation of Atlantic populations and/or a founder effect. Additionally, a clear difference was obtained from the mitochondrial locus, since sequences from Atlantic and Mediterranean samples diverged by 1%, which is high for soft corals.</p

Pairwise F_ST values.

<p>Pairwise F_ST values.</p