Posidonia oceanica, an endemic seagrass species in the Mediterranean Sea, plays a vital role in providing habitat and ecosystem services. Understanding the genetic diversity and connectivity of P. oceanica populations is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies in the face of anthropogenic disturbances and climate change. This study assessed the genetic diversity, structure, and connectivity of P. oceanica meadows on the south coast of Cyprus island and their relationship with Turkish meadows. Three populations from southern Cyprus were genotyped for 16 microsatellite loci and analyzed. The data analysis also considered genotype data from 19 Turkish populations. The results revealed low genotypic and allelic richness, strong differentiation, and low connectivity in Cyprus compared to Türkiye. High variability of these indices among the Cypriot populations was also detected. The result suggests the prevalence of different reproductive strategies between Turkish and Cypriot populations, with clonal propagation being dominant in Cyprus, and also showed restricted connectivity along the island. This contributes to a better understanding of the genetic structure of P. oceanica populations in the East Mediterranean and highlights the vulnerability of Cypriot P. oceanica populations, rising concern about their potential susceptibility to environmental impacts, and resilience. Altogether, this study highlights the relevance of considering genetic diversity and connectivity to better address conservation and restoration efforts of this keystone habitat-forming species in the East Mediterranean.
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