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Dispersal similarly shapes both population genetics and community patterns in the marine realm.
Dispersal plays a key role to connect populations and, if limited, is one of the main processes to
maintain and generate regional biodiversity. According to neutral theories of molecular evolution and
biodiversity, dispersal limitation of propagules and population stochasticity are integral to shaping
both genetic and community structure. We conducted a parallel analysis of biological connectivity
at genetic and community levels in marine groups with different dispersal traits. We compiled
large data sets of population genetic structure (98 benthic macroinvertebrate and 35 planktonic
species) and biogeographic data (2193 benthic macroinvertebrate and 734 planktonic species). We
estimated dispersal distances from population genetic data (i.e., FST vs. geographic distance) and
from β-diversity at the community level. Dispersal distances ranked the biological groups in the same
order at both genetic and community levels, as predicted by organism dispersal ability and seascape
connectivity: macrozoobenthic species without dispersing larvae, followed by macrozoobenthic
species with dispersing larvae and plankton (phyto- and zooplankton). This ranking order is associated
with constraints to the movement of macrozoobenthos within the seabed compared with the
pelagic habitat. We showed that dispersal limitation similarly determines the connectivity degree of
communities and populations, supporting the predictions of neutral theories in marine biodiversity
patterns.RADIALES (IEO)Versión del edito