Abstract
The population structure of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in the Yellow and East China Seas were analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequencing. A total of 390 reproducible bands were generated by 10 AFLP primer combinations in two populations collected from the coasts of Qingdao (located at the Yellow Sea) and Zhoushan (located at the East China Sea). The percentage of polymorphic loci (P), Nei’s genetic diversity (H) and Shannon’s information index (I) values were higher in the Qingdao population (P = 72.85%, H = 0.243 and I = 0.364) than those in the Zhoushan population (P = 56.35%, H = 0.189 and I = 0.284). The genetic diversity reduction in the Zhoushan population may be attributed to fishing pressure and habitat loss in this area. Based on the COI sequencing analysis, a total of 25 polymorphic sites were examined, and 15 haplotypes were identified in the two populations. The haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) values in the Qingdao population were 0.746 ± 0.0728 and 0.00334 ± 0.00103, respectively. The corresponding values in the Zhoushan population were 0.712 ± 0.0470 and 0.00318 ± 0.00049. Both the AFLP and mtDNA data revealed significant genetic differentiation between the two populations. The present study discussed the factors that may result in genetic differentiation between the populations in the Yellow and East China Seas. Keywords: Japanese flounder, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, genetic diversity, population structure.
Highlights
Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is an important commercial species that is widely cultured in China
The percentage of polymorphic bands was significantly lower in the Zhoushan population (56.35%) than that in the Qingdao population (72.85%)
The genetic diversity of the two wild populations from the Yellow and East China Seas were analyzed based on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequencing analysis in the present study
Summary
Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is an important commercial species that is widely cultured in China. The natural resources of Japanese flounder are declining owing to changes in the environment and fishing pressure. Aquaculture production of this species has not increased greatly over the last decade despite the extensive fishery management efforts because of inbreeding depression, viral and bacterial disease problems Maintaining long-term resource sustainability is of concern for the Japanese flounder in China. Understanding the fish population structure is an important component of successful and sustainable longterm management, and it is critical for the rational use of the exploitable resources. Clarifying the population structure of Japanese flounder is crucial in formulating fishery management and aquaculture development programs for this species
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