Genetic Population Structure and Distribution of the Small Giant Clam <i>Tridacna maxima</i> in Indo‐Pacific Coral Reefs: History Dynamics, Present Status and Future Trends

Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the origin of the high biodiversity in the Indo-Malay Archipelago (IMA), such as the center of origin, overlap zone, and accumulation center; yet these theories remain subjects of ongoing debate. The small giant clams, <i>Tridacna maxima</i>, are iconic inhabitants of coral reefs and are widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific. However, due to overexploitation and climate change, wild populations of most giant clam species worldwide have been severely impacted and are now endangered. In this study, <i>cytochrome c oxidase I</i> (<i>COI</i>) gene sequences of 35 <i>T. maxima</i> individuals from two populations in the South China Sea (SCS) were amplified and sequenced. These data were integrated with published <i>COI</i> sequences of <i>T. maxima</i> from other studies. A total of 610 individuals in 34 locations across the Indian Ocean to the Central Pacific were included in the population genetic analysis based on a 417 bp fragment of <i>COI</i>. The genetic differentiation index <i>Φ</i> _st = 0.856 (<i>p</i> = 0.000) shows a significantly differentiated genetic structure, which can be categorized into six distinct groups from west to east, as previously suggested. The populations in the SCS exhibited strong connectivity with the IMA populations, forming a single group. Gene-flow analysis revealed a pattern of migration from the Seas of Southeastern Asia (SEA) towards both the eastern and western directions, supporting the center of origin hypothesis for the high biodiversity of IMA. Historical population dynamics analysis indicated that most groups experienced expansion, primarily associated with the late Pleistocene glaciations. Moreover, the Species Distribution Model (SDM) predicted that climate change might lead to a significant reduction in suitable habitats for <i>T. maxima</i> and a slight shift towards higher latitudes. These results are expected to provide insights into the origin of the biodiversity in the IMA and baseline data for the conservation of giant clams.