Abstract

The Queen Conch, Strombus gigas, is widely distributed throughout the Intra-American Sea (IAS), has been commercially exploited over four centuries and is considered commercially threatened. Queen conch produce pelagic larvae that can be transported throughout the region. A better understanding of the interaction and potential connectivity via larval transport among different populations would contribute to a better management of conch populations. Numerous factors can influence the geographic population structure and dynamics such as transport, settlement, and recruitment processes. Surveys of geographic genetic variation serve as tool to indirectly assess larval dispersal. 145 samples of S. gigas were obtained from 13 different locations throughout the Northern IAS. DNA was extracted and partial 16S rRNA gene was amplified through PCR. Sequences were aligned and results expressed as a phylogenetic tree. Genetic results were plotted on a map with the main oceanographic features of the IAS to relate biological and geophysical elements. Results show the existence of connectivity among S. gigas populations in Northern IAS. This genetic connectivity suggests a metapopulation structure with sources and sinks throughout the region, supported by larval transport via oceanographic features of the IAS.

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