The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of Avicennia marina, an important mangrove tree species with a wide distribution. Samples were collected from four sampling localities, characterised by different environmental conditions, situated along the coast of Mozambique within southern Africa: Pemba-Metuge, Bons Sinais Estuary, Costa do Sol and Inhaca Island. We used five species-specific polymorphic microsatellite loci for screening 20 samples from each of the sampling localities. The overall level of polymorphism observed was relatively high with 3–22 alleles detected at each locus. AMOVA showed the highest level of variation, 96.6 %, was located within populations. Pairwise F_ST comparisons were non-significant between sampling localities. No isolation by distance was detected. Structure results suggested the presence of one population after independent clustering of all samples. The results showed high levels of gene flow for A. marina along the coast of Mozambique and suggested the absence of barriers to gene flow. The results and information from this study will inform strategies for the conservation of A. marina. We discuss the importance of preserving the mangrove forest, supported by our own result, by managing and reducing anthropogenic activities that can damage the genetic diversity within these localities that are under high pressure due to urban growth. This will positively contribute to how and where effort and resources should be focused on for its conservation and sustainable management and utilisation.

这项研究的目的是确定Avicennia marina（一种分布广泛的重要红树林树种）的遗传多样性和种群遗传结构。从南部非洲莫桑比克沿海的四个具有不同环境条件的采样地点收集了样本：奔巴-米塔格，Bons Sinais河口，太阳海岸和因哈卡岛。我们使用了五个物种特异的多态微卫星基因座，从每个采样地点筛选了20个样品。观察到的多态性总体水平相对较高，每个位点检测到3–22个等位基因。AMOVA显示最高的变异水平，为96.6％，位于种群内。成对F _ST抽样地点之间的比较无统计学意义。未检测到按距离隔离。结构结果表明，所有样本独立聚类后存在一个种群。结果表明，莫桑比克海岸沿岸滨海假单胞菌的基因流水平较高，表明不存在阻碍基因流的障碍。这项研究的结果和信息将为A. marina的保存策略提供参考。。我们讨论了在我们自己的研究结果的支持下，通过管理和减少可能破坏这些因城市发展而承受高压的地方的遗传多样性的人为活动，保护红树林的重要性。这将有助于在如何以及在何处以及将精力和资源集中在保护和可持续管理与利用上。