Intraspecific biodiversity among and within populations along a species distribution range reflects past events and will influence responses to future ones. In marine populations, biological and oceanographic drivers, and past demographic events, interact to shape the patterns of genetic diversity within species ranges. The objective of this study is to describe the population genetic structure of the red alga Gelidium corneum, also known as red-gold given its high value in the agar industry. Our results showed that the species comprises two independently evolving lineages, separated along NW Iberia, and that all the populations are composed mainly of diploid sporophyte individuals, that are significantly inbred. Diversity was homogeneous across the range except for lower values at the northern range in Brittany, indicating a recent recolonization of this region, possibly linked to local extinction during colder periods. Unique private alleles were higher in the strong upwelling regions of Gibraltar and in the western Moroccan upwelling region of El Jadida to Essaouira. Populations were dominated by diploid individuals (sporophytes), and all but Gibraltar showed significant inbreeding. These results raise hypotheses of important roles of oceanographic conditions and local reproductive ecology influencing the global genetic pools of G. corneum along its distribution range.
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