Population genetic diversity and structure of a dominant tropical seagrass,Cymodocea rotundata,in the Western Pacific region

Cymodocea rotundata is an ecologically important tropical pioneer seagrass species distributed in the Indo‐Pacific region. The population genetic diversity and structure of this species were analysed at 46 sites spanning the Philippines, Ryukyu Islands (northern limit) and Hainan Island, by using microsatellite simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Analyses revealed the persistence of C. rotundata likely relies on local population dynamics and fitness influenced by environmental gradients, with sexual reproduction prevalent in the Philippines while the Ryukyu and Hainan populations were predominantly established by clonal spread. Analysis of molecular variance showed significant genetic differentiation (P < 0.001) among three geographic regions: the Philippines, Ryukyu and Hainan. Furthermore, the mean fixation index value was very high (F_ST = 0.36), indicating poor dispersal potential or limited gene flow. Allelic richness and heterozygosity of C. rotundata was comparable in the Philippines and Ryukyu Islands populations. More private alleles were found in the Philippines and excess heterozygotes in the Ryukyu Islands. STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the Ryukyu and Hainan populations were mosaics of admixed alleles of individuals from the Philippines. An assignment test suggested that recruitment occurs from the Northeast Philippines to Ryukyu Islands. These results suggest that the Philippine populations are tropical seagrass hotspots and perhaps the origin of the populations in the Ryukyu and Hainan Islands. This scenario is most likely driven by the Kuroshio Current and island integration events during plate tectonic activities. The Philippine Archipelago is considered of high importance for conservation objectives and management plan of seagrasses. Likewise, the Ryukyu Islands are also important in terms of conserving regional diversity because locally adapted genotypes have important evolutionary potential in the face of environmental change.     

A comparison of growth patterns between non‐indigenous Halophila nipponica and the native sympatric Zostera marina on the southern coast of the Korean peninsula

The growth dynamics of two co‐occurring seagrass species, Zostera marina and Halophila nipponica, were examined on the southern coast of the Korean peninsula. Zostera marina is a native dominant seagrass species in Korean coastal waters, whereas H. nipponica is a non‐native tropical and subtropical species that has extended its distributional range to the temperate coastal areas of Korea. To examine the differences in the growth dynamics of H. nipponica and Z.  marina, their morphology, density, productivity and biomass, as well as local environmental conditions, were monitored monthly from January 2008 to July 2009. Underwater irradiance at the study site was the highest in April 2009 and the lowest in January 2008. Water temperature ranged from 10.4°C in January 2009 to 24.8°C in September 2008. Significant differences in growth dynamics were observed between the species, due to the effect of water temperature at the study site. Density and areal productivity were the highest in April 2008 and June 2008, respectively, for Z.  marina but the highest in July 2008 for H. nipponica. Leaf size, shoot height and shoot weight were the highest in July 2008 for Z.  marina but the highest in August 2008 or September 2008 for H. nipponica. The productivity of both species was strongly correlated with water temperature at the study site. However, the productivity of these species was not strongly correlated with underwater irradiance or the nutrient availability of either the water column or sediment pore water. Zostera marina exhibited the ecological characteristics of a temperate seagrass, whereas H. nipponica retained the features of a subtropical/tropical seagrass, even after adapting to the temperate coastal waters of Korea.     

Contrasting shell morphology, ingestion and grazing preferences in the neritid gastropod Smaragdia viridis (L.) on two seagrass species

The neritid Smaragdia viridis represents the only known native marine mollusc that feeds on seagrass tissues in the European coasts, displaying a strong association with the seagrasses Cymodocea nodosa and Zostera marina in southern Spain. Seasonal dynamics, shell and radular morphology, growth and feeding of this gastropod have been studied in relation to each seagrass species for contrasting trends resulting from a different type of substrate and food source. In both seagrass species, stable populations of this gastropod occur at similar densities and displaying similar growth rates. Nevertheless shells of individuals from C. nodosa are narrower than those from Z. marina and some differences, possibly a consequence of increased wearing on C. nodosa, were noted amongst the radulae. In C. nodosa, a pre-ingestive selection for young epidermal tissues occurs as it was previously observed in Z. marina. The ingestion rate is higher in C. nodosa than in Z. marina but the absorption of ingested tissues is lower in the former. If both seagrasses are present, most individuals ingested preferentially Z. marina rather than C. nodosa, probably due to the lower digestibility of the epidermal tissues in the latter. Seagrass beds, especially those of Z. marina, are suffering a strong regression in southern Spain and the presence of stable populations of this neritid may be restricted to other declining seagrass species in the area.     

Evaluating the genetic effects of the invasive Ocenebra inornata on the native oyster drill Ocenebra erinacea

Studies focusing on the effect of invasive species on the genetic diversity of native marine invertebrates remain scant. Here we report diversity among French populations of the intertidal gastropod Ocenebra erinacea (Linnaeus, 1758) sampled in the presence and absence of the invasive Ocenebra inornata (Recluz, 1851). Between 1999 and 2004, a total of 352 individuals of O. erinacea was collected from 15 sites (five of which had the invasive present) and was genotyped at the mitochondrial locus Cytochrome Oxidase 1 (cox1). No statistical difference was observed between polymorphism levels recorded within native populations exposed to the invasive, compared with populations sampled in the absence of O. inornata. No sign of native population decline was detected in response to the invader. While significant shifts in native O. erinacea population sizes have previously been reported in the literature, genetic effects may take longer to accumulate, or may be undetectable without a larger panel of genetic markers. By contrast, large genetic distances and significant population differentiation were recorded between Atlantic and Mediterranean O. erinacea samples, suggesting that these populations have distinct evolutionary histories. Comparison of genetic divergence within the closely related genus Nucella suggests that the Atlantic populations of O. erinacea and those from Thau Lagoon in the Mediterranean may belong to different species or subspecies.     

First record of vertical rhizomes in the seagrass Zostera marina (Novigrad Sea,Croatia)

We report the first record of vertical rhizome growth in the temperate seagrass Zostera marina. In a population of Z. marina occurring on subtidal sand in the Novigrad Sea (Croatia), an area subject to episodic high sediment transport, collected plants of Z. marina showed vertical rhizomes with shorter and narrower inter‐nodes (mean length = 3.4 ± 1.5 SD mm, mean width = 1.9 ± 0.3 SD mm) than those recorded for horizontal rhizomes (mean length = 9.0 ± 3.5 SD mm, mean width = 2.8 ± 0.4 SD mm). Out of a sample of 1130 rhizome fragments, 288 (25.5%) were vertical. Repeated moderate burial events may have stimulated the production of vertical rhizomes, and the ability of Z. marina to produce vertical rhizomes may enable it to withstand moderate burial in this highly dynamic environment.     

中国温带海域新发现较大面积(大于50ha)海草床:Ⅲ渤海兴城-觉华岛海域大面积海草床鳗草种群动力学及补充机制

鳗草(ZosteramarinaL.)广布于北半球温带浅海海域,其形成的鳗草床具有重要的生态价值。近些年来,我国黄渤海海域鳗草退化严重,较大面积、连续分布的海草床已经非常少见。在渤海兴城-觉华岛海域发现较大面积的海草床,可以作为渤海沿海海草床的典型代表。基于此,2018年5月、9月、11月和2019年3月对该海草床进行了初步调查,探究了渤海兴城-觉华岛海草床鳗草种群补充等生态特征,分析了海草床生境的主要威胁,并提出了对海草床进行有效保护和科学管理的相关建议。结果表明:渤海兴城-觉华岛海草床总面积为791.61ha,海草种类为鳗草和日本鳗草(Z.japonica),以鳗草为优势种,日本鳗草极少且呈斑块状分布;鳗草生物量在2018年5月达到最大值(1241.22—1632.64g/m2);鳗草叶片碳、氮、磷元素含量分别为35.35%—36.57%、1.89%—3.35%、0.14%—0.48%;鳗草海草床以无性繁殖为主要补充方式,有性繁殖补充比例平均仅为1.92%,明显低于国内其他鳗草草床,具有鲜明的独特性;该海草床主要受围填海、捕蛤、围网捕鱼等人类活动的严重影响,并致使海草床边缘区域呈现斑块化趋势。建议对这片珍贵的海草床加以保护和修复。     

Reproduction of the eelgrass Zostera marina at the species southern distributional limit in the Eastern Atlantic

The plant reproductive effort, the seed germination rate and the seedling survival and development of Zostera marina (eelgrass) were assessed in four populations (Fuzeta, Culatra, Barrinha and Armona) at the species’ southern distribution limit in the Eastern Atlantic, the Ria Formosa lagoon. Germinated seeds were individually placed in Petri dishes with natural sandy sediments and kept in a culture chamber at the same temperature and salinity conditions as the natural environment. In addition, seeds from three different depths of Fuzeta population were cultivated in outdoor mesocosms. The populations of Fuzeta and Barrinha showed higher seed production and the seeds produced were heavier than the other populations. The germination of the seeds both in the laboratory and in the outdoor tanks began c. 8–12 weeks after the collection of the flowering shoots at a water temperature of 22 °C. The spontaneous germination in the laboratory (2.4–5.3%) and in the mesocosm experiment (5.6–8.9%) was low and from all the germinated seeds (n = 20) only three reached the seedling stage. The spontaneously germinated seeds from Fuzeta survived for a longer period than those from Barrinha, but only the germinated seeds of Barrinha reached the seedling stage (one‐leaf seedling stage). In outdoor tanks, higher seed germination and earlier seedling emergence (2 weeks after seeding) and survival (for 208 days) occurred for the seeds obtained from the shallow meadow. The reproductive effort of Z. marina populations of Ria Formosa showed that flowering shoots and seed traits are site‐specific. The low reproductive success indicated by the low germination and seedling survival suggests a bottleneck in the species’ reproductive cycle that may account for the scarce presence of the species in Ria Formosa lagoon. The high water temperatures of Ria Formosa in winter may partly explain this bottleneck. Increased temperatures due to climate change may reduce even further the sexual reproduction of Z. marina in its southern distributional limit in the Eastern Atlantic.     

Temporal dynamics of subtidal Zostera marina and intertidal Zostera japonica on the southern coast of Korea

The temporal dynamics of two seagrass species, Zostera marina and Z. japonica, were monitored monthly in Dadae Bay, Geoje Island, on the southern coast of Korea. Plant morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, leaf production, reproductive effort, and environmental characteristics were monitored from July 2001 to July 2002. Zostera japonica occurred in the intertidal zone and Z. marina occurred in the subtidal zone from 0.5 to 2.5 m below the mean low water level. Shoots and rhizomes were significantly larger in Z. marina than in Z. japonica, whereas the shoot density was greater in Z. japonica than in Z. marina. Despite differences in morphology and shoot density, biomass did not differ significantly between the species. Reproduction occurred from April to June in Z. marina and from May to July in Z. japonica. The proportion of reproductive shoots was approximately three times higher in Z. marina than in Z. japonica. Seasonal variation in the biomass of Z. japonica was caused by changes in both shoot size and density, whereas that of Z. marina was mainly caused by changes in shoot length. Leaf production in Z. marina and Z. japonica showed clear seasonal variation, and leaf production in Z. marina (2.6 ± 0.2 g DW·m⁻²·day⁻¹) was higher than that in Z. japonica (1.7 ± 0.2 g DW·m⁻²·day⁻¹). The mean plastochrone interval was not significantly different between the two species, whereas the leaf lifetime of Z. marina was longer (69 ± 7.8 days) than that of Z. japonica (59 ± 8.3 days). Our results indicated that seasonal leaf growth patterns in Z. japonica are correlated with irradiance and temperature, whereas those in Z. marina respond most to irradiance. Seasonal changes in irradiance appeared to control the temporal variation in above‐ground biomass in both species.     

山东荣成天鹅湖海草场大型底栖贝类时空分布研究

为了了解天鹅湖不同微生境条件下底栖贝类的群落结构及时空分布特征,于2013年12月至2014年11月,对天鹅湖矮大叶藻区、空白区、大叶藻区边缘及其内部的底栖贝类和环境特征进行了调查。共发现15种大型底栖贝类,隶属14科15属;贝类种类组成、分布密度、生物量以及物种多样性指数在4种生境中差异显著,但均无明显的季节变化。空白区域中贝类总密度和单位面积生物量最高,大叶藻区内部最低,但矮大叶藻区和大叶藻区内部多样性指数较高。大叶藻区内部的贝类以腹足类锈凹螺、日本月华螺、刺绣翼螺等刮食者为主,而双壳贝类则更倾向于选择无海草覆盖的空白区或者海草较为稀疏的草场边缘。综合分析表明,天鹅湖底栖贝类的分布和多样性受底质特征和海草覆盖影响最为显著,同时与水深密切相关。     

盐度对大叶藻种子萌发和幼苗发育的影响

大叶藻海草场是重要生境但在我国严重退化,亟需研究有效的修复方法。本文以桑沟湾的大叶藻种子为研究对象,探讨了盐度急变(0~30)对种子萌发、萌发后继续发育和存活及幼苗幼叶的光合与呼吸速率的影响,为以种子繁殖修复大叶藻海草场提供参考。结果表明:盐度降低促进种子萌发,盐度15及以下效果显著,盐度0时萌发率最高;盐度0~15中萌发的种子均可发育成幼苗,发育和衰亡的比例和速率受萌发盐度背景和萌发后培养盐度的双重影响——较高萌发盐度有利于种子萌发后的发育和存活,种子萌发后于盐度5~30中均可建成幼苗并存活、但在盐度0或1中发育至不同程度后全部死亡。盐度5~30范围内,幼苗幼叶均有净产氧,光合和呼吸作用及净产氧率具随盐度升高而增强趋势。于盐度0或5中萌发、盐度5~30中进一步培育的变盐育苗策略,最高实现了24%或12%的种子于2个月内建成幼苗并继续发育,可作为种子繁殖法修复大叶藻海草场的技术参考。     

Stability of genetic diversity in an intertidal goby population after exposure to tsunami disturbance

Massive tsunami disturbances have potentially detrimental effects on genetic diversity and effective population size of coastal marine species, and evaluating these effects can be useful for devising conservation strategies for coastal marine environments. Local populations of the intertidal goby Chaenogobius annularis, which are distributed on scattered rocky beaches of the Japanese Archipelago, show demographic independence without overlapping generations, making this an ideal species with which to study the effects of tsunami disturbance on genetic diversity. Some of these populations were affected by the tsunami of the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake. Here, we investigated the change in genetic diversity of a local population of this species, which was located close to the epicenter of the earthquake, across the cohorts before and after the tsunami and evaluated the impact of the tsunami disturbance. Genetic diversity was maintained after the tsunami, and no change in the effective population size was observed. Our results suggest that the tsunami disturbance has had no marked impact on the genetic diversity of C. annularis.     

Long-term evolution (1988–2008) of Zostera spp. meadows in Arcachon Bay (Bay of Biscay)

The spatial variability of seagrass meadows in Arcachon Bay, was studied between 1988 and 2008 using a combination of mapping techniques based on aerial photographs for intertidal dwarf-grass (Zostera noltii) beds and acoustic sonar for permanently submerged eelgrass (Zostera marina) populations. The results show a severe decline over the period for both species, as well as an acceleration of the decline since 2005 for Z. noltii. The total surface regression over the studied period is estimated to be 22.8 km² for Z. noltii and 2.7 km² for Z. marina, which represent declines of 33 and 74% respectively.     

The influence of increased iron concentration on survival and growth of seedlings and young plants of eelgrass Zostera marina

Iron (Fe) is an essential nutrient for plants but toxic at high concentrations. We subjected seedlings and young plants of eelgrass Zostera marina to different seawater iron concentrations (500, 600, 700, 800, 1,000 and 1,500 μg/L) for 30 days under controlled laboratory conditions. Natural seawater without added iron (500 μg/L) was used as reference seawater. No sediments were provided to avoid iron scavenging by particle surfaces in the sediment. We measured plant response in terms of survivorship, morphology, growth rate and productivity. Survival analysis combined with morphological, dynamic and productive assessment suggested that the optimum seawater iron concentration for the establishment of Z. marina seedlings and young plants is 700 μg/L. The no observed effect concentration, lowest observed effect concentration, lethal concentration that caused an increase in mortality to 10% of that of the control, and the effect concentration that caused a decrease in growth to 10% of that of the control values of young plants were significantly lower than those of seedlings, implying an increased sensitivity to high Fe concentrations (>1,000 μg/L). This study further develops our understanding of the physiological ecology of the early life stages of Z. marina and provides data that could prove helpful in the development of successful eelgrass restoration and conservation.     

A comparative study of the photosynthetic activity among three temperate seagrass species in Northern Japan

The photosynthetic activity of Zostera marina, Zostera asiatica and Phyllospadix iwatensis shoots from populations of Hokkaido (Northern Japan) was determined using the pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. Several fluorescence parameters were measured as a function of irradiance and leaf age: electron transport rate (ETR), quantum yield, photochemical quenching (qP) and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). The leaf age determined by the leaf position in the shoot bundle strongly influenced the photosynthetic activity of Z. marina, Z. asiatica and P. iwatensis. Young leaves had the maximum electron transport rate (Zm: Leaf 1 = 15.7, Leaf 2 = 16.3; Za: Leaf 1 = 13.0, Leaf 2 = 12.2; and Pi: Leaf 1 = 12.5, Leaf 2 = 11.7) and showed higher photoprotection (NPQ) than old leaves. Among the studied seagrass species, Z. marina had the highest photosynthetic activity (ETR_max = 15.3), in accordance with the highest production in the field in comparison with the other two seagrass species. The PAM fluorometry technique showed to be effective in determining intraspecific (among‐leaves) and interspecific (among‐species) variation in seagrass photosynthetic activity.     

Evidence of Ostrea lurida Carpenter, 1864, population structure in Puget Sound,WA, USA

Species traits that carry adaptive advantages such as reproductive timing and stress resilience may differ among populations. Knowledge and consideration of these traits should, therefore, be integrated into conservation efforts that include long‐term persistence of species. To test for adaptive differences between Olympia oyster, Ostrea lurida, populations a reciprocal transplant experiment was carried out monitoring survival, growth and reproduction using three established populations of O. lurida within Puget Sound, WA, USA. Performance differed for each population. Ostrea lurida from Dabob Bay had the highest survival at all sites but the lowest reproductive activity and growth. Oysters from Oyster Bay demonstrated the greatest proportion of brooding females at a majority of sites with moderate growth and survival. Together these data suggest the existence of O. lurida population structure within Puget Sound and provide information on how broodstock should be selected for restoration purposes.     

Current status and ecological roles of Zostera marina after recovery from large-scale reclamation in the Nakdong River estuary,Korea

Large Zostera marina meadows (covering 13.6 km²) existed in the Nakdong River estuary on the south coast of Korea until the mid-1980s, but these Z. marina beds nearly disappeared due to reclamation of adjacent mud flats for the construction of a port and industrial complex during the late 1980s. Partial recovery of Z. marina meadows occurred recently, and Z. marina coverage of about 0.3 km² was observed in this estuary. In this study, shoot morphology, density, biomass, productivity, and tissue nutrient content were measured to evaluate the current status of the Z. marina meadows by comparing these data to those for persistent seagrass meadows in similar geographical areas. Additionally, we examined the ecological roles of Z. marina in this estuary after recovery from the large-scale disturbance. Shoot density (151 shoots m⁻²) and total biomass (141 g DW m⁻²) in the estuary were similar to those reported from other Z. marina meadows in Korea. Annual leaf production (1726 g DW m⁻² y⁻¹) was higher than generally observed for Z. marina in other geographical areas. These results imply that the existing Z. marina meadows in this estuary have adjusted to local environmental conditions that changed after large-scale reclamation. Estimated annual whole plant carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) incorporations based on shoot production and tissue C and N content were 810.0 g C m⁻² y⁻¹ and 59.7 g N m⁻² y⁻¹, respectively. These values were equivalent to 2.4 × 10⁵ kg C y⁻¹ and 1.8 × 10⁴ kg N y⁻¹ for all Z. marina beds in the Nakdong River estuary. This high C and N incorporation into Z. marina tissues suggests that existing Z. marina meadows play important roles in C and N cycles in this estuary. Although the currently existing Z. marina beds in this estuary are persisting and play an important ecological role, anthropogenic factors that cause seagrass declines still affect the estuary. Thus, effective management and monitoring of Z. marina beds and environmental factors are critical to protecting and conserving this invaluable component of the Nakdong River estuary.     

Ecosystem shift resulting from loss of eelgrass and other submerged aquatic vegetation in two estuarine lagoons, Lake Nakaumi and Lake Shinji, Japan

Zostera marina L. was intensively harvested until the early 1950s in Lake Nakaumi, a eutrophic estuarine lagoon. We have estimated the amount of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removed from the lagoon through Z. marina harvesting. Lake Nakaumi lies in Tottori and Shimane prefectures, and the annual harvest of Z. marina in the late 1940s in Tottori was recorded as at least 56,250 t wet weight. The nutrient content of 56,250 t of Z. marina was calculated to be 61.9 t of N and 12.9 t of P, which is equivalent to 5.3% and 11%, respectively, of present annual nutrient loads to the lake. The nutrients formerly used by Z. marina were likely used by phytoplankton after the Z. marina started to decline in the mid-1950s at Lake Nakaumi. This shift in the chief primary producer, from benthic macrophytes to phytoplankton, caused a subsequent shift in secondary producers. Benthic fish and crustacean populations decreased and the non-commercial filter-feeding bivalve, Musculus senhausia, increased in Lake Nakaumi after the decline of seagrass beds. This affected the local economy, inducing not only eutrophication but also the collapse of local fisheries. On the other hand, at adjacent Lake Shinji, loss of submerged aquatic vegetation induced an increase of the commercial filter-feeding bivalve, Corbicula japonica, which doubled the fishery yield in the lake.     

The genetic structure of the exotic ascidian Styela plicata (Tunicata) from Italian ports,with a re‐appraisal of its worldwide genetic pattern

The pleated ascidian Styela plicata (Lesueur, 1823) is a solitary species commonly found in ports and marinas around the world. It has been recorded in the Mediterranean region since the mid‐19th century. In the present work, the species’ genetic diversity was analysed, employing a 613‐bp portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from 149 individuals collected in 14 ports along Italian coasts at spatial scales ranging from 1 to approximately 2200 km. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity values were h = 0–0.933 (total h = 0.789) and π = 0–0.145 (total π = 0.0094), respectively. A general southward trend of increasing within‐population genetic diversity was observed. Analysis of molecular variance revealed significant genetic structuring but no significant differences were detected among basins, and no isolation by distance was found. Our data were integrated with the COI sequences available from previous studies and re‐analysed in order to investigate the possible routes of introduction of this ascidian into the Mediterranean Sea. The presence of the two COI haplogroups detected in previous molecular investigations on S. plicata at intercontinental spatial scale was confirmed in the Mediterranean Sea. The results revealed multiple introductions of S. plicata, although some locations appear to have experienced rapid expansion from few founding individuals with reduced genetic diversity. However, continuous introductions would confound the pattern deriving from single founder events and make it difficult to estimate the time needed for gene diffusion into established populations. This mixing of effects creates difficulties in understanding the past and current dynamics of this introduction, and managing this alien invasive ascidian whose genetic structure is continuously shuffled by vessel‐mediated transport.     

中国温带海域新发现较大面积(大于0.5km2)海草床:Ⅱ声呐探 测技术在渤海唐山沿海海域发现中国面积最大的鳗草海草床

近些年来随着生境的破坏其分布面积急遽下降,较大面积连续分布的海草床已经非常少见。本研究首次将声呐探测技术应用到海草床时空分布特征的相关研究中,在河北唐山乐亭-曹妃甸沿海发现目前中国面积最大的鳗草(Zostera marina)海草床,海草床面积高达29.17 km~2,绘制了鳗草分布图和水深分布图,并对鳗草生物量和茎枝高度等基本生物学指标进行了调查。该发现极大丰富了中国海草数据库,并为鳗草的深入研究及保护提供了得天独厚的实验基地,也为周边海洋牧场的构建打下良好的基础。     

Assessment by microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Enhalus acoroides from the coast of Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

Seagrass beds degraded significantly since the last century on both, global and local scale. The seagrass species Enhalus acoroides (Linnaeus f.) Royle is a common species found in almost all marine ecosystems including bays, lagoons and around offshore islands in tropical regions of the West Pacific. It was shown that genetic diversity is an essential indicator of the conditions of ecosystems. In the present study, microsatellite markers were used to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of six distinct seagrass beds along the coast of the Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. The results indicate that the genetic diversity of the populations in the open sea is higher than in the lagoon. Seagrass beds occurring in disturbed sites show reduced genetic diversity. The fixing index value (F_ST) depicts a relatively high genetic structure among populations. Structure analysis clusters the populations into open sea and lagoon populations and cluster analysis and AMOVA indicate a significant difference between the two groups. There are low but non-significant positive correlations between geographic and genetic distances. The different habitats of the open sea and the lagoon are probably responsible for forming two groups.