DOI: 10.5061/dryad.cd5s5
title: Data from: The leafy seadragon, Phycodurus eques, a flagship species with low but structured genetic variability

description: The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques, Syngnathidae), is a charismatic
 endemic of Australia’s temperate coast. The species exhibits remarkable
 camouflage in its kelp and seagrass habitat. These habitats have been
 retreating throughout the range of the species, leading to concerns about
 the persistence of leafy seadragons. Despite being a popular aquarium
 display and a flagship for coastal conservation, little is known about
 leafy seadragon biology. We used 7 microsatellite markers and 2
 mitochondrial DNA fragments to investigate the population structuring and
 genetic diversity of 71 individuals. Bayesian cluster analysis identified
 2 main genetic partitions, one in Western Australia and the other in South
 Australia. Shallower, yet significant, differentiation of mitochondrial
 DNA (φ ST) and microsatellites (F ST, F′ ST, D) was found on the smaller
 geographic scales in South Australia. Distinct groups were supported in
 Encounter Bay, on both shores of Gulf St Vincent, and in Spencer Gulf.
 Sample sizes were too small in the eastern Great Australian Bight and in
 the westernmost locality to address genetic differentiation in these
 regions. Overall genetic diversity was moderate to low, but particularly
 low levels were found in the Western Australian cluster. This latter point
 needs confirmation at other sites in Western Australia. In South
 Australia, signatures of demographic changes were detected, which may have
 been caused by a population expansion due to post-glacial reflooding of
 the gulfs. The Western Australian and South Australian clusters appeared
 as demographically independent units. Conservation actions should focus on
 preserving genetic diversity at local scales and maintaining habitat
 connectivity.
description: microsatellite genotypes
 for all individualsMicrosatellite genotypes
 for 7 loci for all 70 individuals of leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques)
 in genepop format.microsatellites_allIndividuals.genepop.gdvmicrosatellite genotypes for all sample sets with &gt;5 individualsMicrosatellite genotypes for 7 loci for 49 individuals of leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) in genepop format. Sample sets with &lt;5 individuals and individuals of unknown geographic origin were excluded.microsatellites_excludedIndividuals.genepop.gdvGeographic distance matrixPairwise geographic distance in km between sample sets. Distance was measured along the coastline but straight-line connections were allowed across Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.Geographic_distance_matrix.gdvGeographic distance matrix South AustraliaPairwise geographic distance in km between sample sets, for South Australian sites only. Distance was measured along the coastline but straight-line connections were allowed across Spencer Gulf and Gulf St Vincent.Geographic_distance_matrix_SouthAustralia.gdvSequences mitochondrial control regionSequences of the mitochondrial control region for 56 leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) in fasta format.Control_region.fasSequences mitochondrial NADH subunit 4 (ND4)Sequences of the mitochondrial NADH subunit 4 (ND4) for 56 leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) in fasta format.ND4.fas