Genetic connectivity dynamics of the giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta, across the Florida Reef Tract and Gulf of Mexico
Andrea M Bernard, Kimberly A Finnegan, Mahmood S Shivji

Despite the high levels of population structuring observed, some horizontal and/ or vertical connectivity was found between neighboring reef systems, including evidence of gene flow between mesophotic and photic reef tracts. While the mesophotic reef may provide sponge recruits to shallow photic reefs, its role as a potential refuge and propagule source appears limited to only small geographic scales.

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