A temporal and spatial study of genetic structure in four species of bladed Bangiales (Rhodophyta) from the southeastern Pacific coast of Chile

The coastline is a heterogeneous and highly dynamic environment influenced by abiotic and biotic variables affecting the temporal stability of genetic diversity and structure of marine organisms. The aim of this study was to determine how much the genetic structure of four species of marine Bangiales vary in time and space. Partial sequences of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene obtained from two Pyropia (Py. sp. CHJ and Py. orbicularis) and two Porphyra (P. mumfordii and P. sp. FIH) species were used to compare the effect of the 40° S/41° S biogeographic break (spatial-regional scale) and the one of the Valdivia River discharges (spatial-local scale) and determine their temporal stability. Four seasonal samplings were taken during 1 year at five sites, one site located in Melinka (Magallanes province) and four sites along the coast of Valdivia (Intermediate area), on both sides of the river mouth. Results showed a strong genetic spatial structure at regional scale (ΦST > 0.4) in Py. sp. CHJ, Py. orbicularis, and P. mumfordii, congruent with the 41° S/42° S biogeographic break. A potential barrier to gene flow, related to the Valdivia River discharge, was detected only in P. mumfordii. In P. sp. FIH, spatial genetic structure was not detected at any scale. The genetic structure of all four species is stable throughout the year. The potential effect of main currents and river discharge in limiting the transport of Bangiales spores are discussed. We propose that both a restricted propagule dispersal and the formation potential for persistent banks of microscopic stages could lead to a temporally stable spatial partitioning of genetic variation in bladed Bangiales.