Skip to main content
Log in

Size and estimated age of genets in eelgrass, Zostera marina, assessed with microsatellite markers

  • Article
  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We examined the spatial distribution of genotypes in a perennial population of eelgrass, Zostera marina L., at two spatial scales. We mapped and sampled 80 ramets in a subtidal area of 20 × 80 m, and an additional 15 ramets in two 1-m2 sub-quadrats. Ramets were genotyped for seven polymorphic microsatellite loci. Among a total number of 54 genotypes detected, 12 occurred more than once. The ramets of ten of these genotypes occurred in clusters and represented genets based on their expected multi-locus genotype frequencies. The size distribution of genets was uneven with estimated ramet numbers ranging from 2 to 5000. Whereas some areas displayed a high genet diversity, which may indicate past disturbances, large genets (≥10 m2) predominated in other locations of the sampled plot. Spatial heterogeneity in clone distribution was also obvious at the smaller sampling scale (15 ramets sampled within 1 m2) where the clonal diversity (genets identified/ramets sampled) was 0.24 in one quadrat, and 0.077 in the other. Ramets belonging to the largest clone were maximally 17 m apart, which corresponds to a genet age of 67 yr based on annual rhizome growth rates. We conclude that the spatial arrangement of clones in seagrasses allows inferences about the past demography and the disturbance regime at a given site which may prove useful for coastal zone management of ecologically valuable seagrass meadows.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 15 September 1998 / Accepted: 14 November 1998

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reusch, T., Stam, W. & Olsen, J. Size and estimated age of genets in eelgrass, Zostera marina, assessed with microsatellite markers. Marine Biology 133, 519–525 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270050492

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002270050492

Keywords

Navigation