Abstract

Large-scale natural disturbances may have profound impacts on natural ecosystems, affecting many ecological and fitness traits of species through abundance reduction and habitat destruction. However, extreme perturbation events may not only produce important effects at the ecological level, but also at the genetic level, which may play an important role in the long term sustainability of local populations. On February 27th, 2010 (27/F), the south-central coast of Chile was struck by a mega-earthquake and tsunami (8.8 on the Richter scale). The earthquake’s rupture zone covered the area between Constitución and Concepción (35° 37°S). The earthquake produced changes in the elevation of the coastline up to 3 m in some localities and the tsunami devastated hundreds of kilometres of coast, significantly affecting near shore marine life. Here we propose quantify the effect of the 27/F earthquake and tsunami on population genetic diversity and evaluate the role of dispersal potential on the genetic resilience of six marine species with high (Tegula atra, Nassarius gayii, and Normanichthys crokeri) and low dispersal capacities (Gracilaria chilensis, Aphos porosus, Lessonia nigrescens). This project represents a unique opportunity to significantly advance our understanding on the temporal response of biological systems to large-scale natural perturbations using an integrative approach.