The largest clonal body in the world extends on 300 miles

Marine biologists at the University of Gothenburg have identified what can be the largest well -known clonal body – a vast Bladderwrak (Fucus Vesiculosus) stretch that extends over 300 miles from the Sweden’s Baltic coast.

Originally wrongly classified as a distinct species, genetic sequencing has confirmed that this extended seaweed population is a single clone that reproduces asexually.

Bladderwrack plays a fundamental role in the Baltic Sea ecosystem, forming dense underwater forests, which serve as habitat and refuge for numerous marine organisms, including molluscs and crustaceans.

These macro -algal beds extend from the surface of the water to depths of about 32 meters, contributing to biodiversity and acting as critical structural components of the coastal environment.

These underwater forests offer shelter, breeding grounds and food sources for a wide variety of marine species, encouraging complex ecological interactions that support the general health of the ecosystem.

The stability and resistance of these habitats is of essential concern, because climate change causes changes in temperature and salt, which could disrupt the marine life and upset the balance of the ecosystem.

“This clone includes millions of individuals, and in some areas, it is completely dominant, while in other areas it grows with sexually propagated individuals in Bladderwrak,” explained Ricardo Pereyra, a researcher who led genetic analyzes.

“I found a few bigger Clones in the Baltic Sea, but the female clone on the Swedish Bay of Bothnia is by far the largest clone – a real super feminine. “

Genetic homogeneity and climate -climatic vulnerability

Bladderwrak usually reproduces sexually, female plants release games in calm waters. However, in the Baltic Sea, Asexual reproduction seems to dominate due to low salinity. This led to the formation of a massive clone made up of millions of individuals.

While clonal propagation allowed this bladder population to expand widely, also introduces ecological risks associated with genetic uniformity.

“The Baltic Sea enters a hotter and probably even fresher water”, “” PLEASE NOTE Kerstin Johannesson, a co-control of the study. “Under new conditions, all species must try to adapt to survive, including the importance of the bladder.”

The absence of genetic variation within the clone can prevent its ability to respond to environmental stress. While populations that reproduce sexually generate various descendants, with a greater probability of adaptive features, clonal populations are vulnerable to systemic interruptions.

Without genetic recombination, this extended seaweed population may undergo significant decreases if they are experiencing steep climatic or ecological changes.

Discovering a new seaweed species in Estonia

During this study, the researchers also identified a species of anteriorly undocuted algae along the Estonian coast. This species, unlike the vast bladder, is based exclusively on sexual reproduction and has distinct morphological and reproductive characteristics.

Although closely related to Bladderwrak, it is reproductive and is a new plus in the region’s marine biodiversity.

This discovery emphasizes the complex evolutionary paths of marine macroalge and emphasizes the ecological significance of genetic diversity in support of resistant marine populations.

The study was published in the journal Molecular ecology.