Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Port Jackson Shark, Heterodontus portusjacksoni (Meyer, 1793)

The Port Jackson Shark (Heterodontus portusjacksoni) is an epibenthic, oviparous species endemic to the southern half of Australia. Understanding the genetic structure, ecology and reproductive behaviours of this species is essential for developing appropriate management and conservation strategies. However, research has been hampered due a lack of suitable genetic markers. Here, we developed 12 microsatellite loci for H. portusjacksoni. The number of alleles at these polymorphic loci ranged from 3 to 22 and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.15 to 0.84. Six of twelve loci successfully cross-amplified in the closely related Crested Hornshark, H. galeatus (Günther, 1870). These markers will aid in studying the spatial and reproductive ecology of H. portusjacksoni and other heterodontid sharks

Three molecular markers show no evidence of population genetic structure in the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae)

Assessment of genetic diversity and connectivity between regions can inform conservation managers about risk of inbreeding, potential for adaptation and where population boundaries lie. The Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) is a threatened species in northern Australia, occupying the savannah woodlands of the biogeographically complex monsoon tropics. We present the most comprehensive population genetic analysis of diversity and structure the Gouldian finch using 16 microsatellite markers, mitochondrial control region and 3,389 SNPs from genotyping-by-sequencing. Mitochondrial diversity is compared across three related, co-distributed finches with different conservation threat-statuses. There was no evidence of genetic differentiation across the western part of the range in any of the molecular markers, and haplotype diversity but not richness was lower than a common co-distributed species. Individuals within the panmictic population in the west may be highly dispersive within this wide area, and we urge caution when interpreting anecdotal observations of changes to the distribution and/or flock sizes of Gouldian finch populations as evidence of overall changes to the population size of this species

Ecological impacts and management implications of reef walking on a tropical reef flat community

Continued growth of tourism has led to concerns about direct and indirect impacts on the ecology of coral reefs and ultimate sustainability of these environments under such pressure. This research assessed impacts of reef walking by tourists on a relatively pristine reef flat community associated with an ‘ecoresort’ on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Heavily walked areas had lower abundances of live hard coral but greater amounts of dead coral and sediment. Abundances of macroalgae were not affected between sites. Coral-associated butterflyfish were less abundant and less diverse in more trampled sites. A manipulative experiment showed handling holothurians on reef walks had lasting negative impacts. This is the first study to show potential impacts of such handling on holothurians. Ecological impacts of reef walking are weighed against sociocultural benefits of a first hand experience in nature.9 page(s

Summary of various measures of genetic diversity with (±) sampling standard deviation for microsatellite, mitochondrial and SNP datasets.

<p>Summary of various measures of genetic diversity with (±) sampling standard deviation for microsatellite, mitochondrial and SNP datasets.</p

Median-joining network for mitochondrial control region haplotypes in the Gouldian finch.

<p>Colours represent sampling localities, and node circle size represents the number of individuals with that haplotype. Number of strokes joining nodes indicates then number of mutations between two haplotypes.</p

Three Molecular Markers Show No Evidence of Population Genetic Structure in the Gouldian Finch (<i>Erythrura gouldiae</i>) - Fig 3

<p><b>Results from Bayesian clustering analysis using STRUCTURE (a-c)</b> [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0167723#pone.0167723.ref037" target="_blank">37</a>] <b>and d) fastSTRUCTURE</b> [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0167723#pone.0167723.ref057" target="_blank">57</a>]. Part a) shows equal membership probability plot for each individual plotted for two clusters; b) log probability of data (LnP(D)) showing K = 1; c) the optimal number of genetic clusters according to the Evanno et al method; d) output of marginal likelihoods from fastSTRUCTURE showing optimal K = 1.</p

Map of the north of Australia, showing the locations blood samples were collected between 2004 and 2013.

<p>Heat map indicates the density of Gouldian finch presence data from Atlas of Living Australia [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0167723#pone.0167723.ref020" target="_blank">20</a>] since trapping became illegal in 1987, where darker blue indicates high occurrence density. Background map reprinted from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0167723#pone.0167723.ref022" target="_blank">22</a>] under a CC BY 4.0 license, with permission from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Original Copyright 2011.</p