Abstract

In the Caribbean, Acropora palmata (Lamarck 1816) and A. cervicornis (Lamarck 1816) are major coral species for reef building. Since the 1980s, these species populations are decreasing and are now classified as critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To implement the development of an efficient and sustainable restoration method of the endangered populations, the genetic status of populations should be known. Recent studies, mainly conducted on the reefs of Florida and the Greater Antilles concerned the structure and the dynamics of Acropora populations, while the genetic status of the populations in the Lesser Antilles remains less studied. In this context, a genetic study of some populations of these two species, was realized on five reefs of Guadeloupe (French West Indies). This study suggests that the populations are genetically distinct and have a larval recruitment on a limited scale and need local conservation measures. In addition, results show that A. cervicornis populations are rare and genetically undiversified. Thus, in Guadeloupe, the survival of this species and its associated ecosystem services are threatened, which has never been shown before.

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