Genetic diversity and population differentiation of the shortfin squid Illex argentinus in the south-west Atlantic

Abstract

Sixteen samples (588 individuals) of the Argentine shortfin squid Illex argentinus were collected by commercial vessels from Falkland and surrounding waters (42°06–51°17S) between February and May 1990 and subjected to starch gel electrophoresis. Levels of electrophoretically detectable generic variability and the extent of population differentiation were determined from allele frequencies at 25 enzyme-coding loci. Low levels of genetic variability were detected, with the overall proportion of polymorphic loci, P = 0.28, mean heterozygosities per locus, H 1 = 0.011, and the average effective number of alleles, N c = 1.23. Marked population differentiation was indicated by significant differences in allele frequency among samples, and unbalanced genotypic distributions with heterozygote deficits at most loci. Nei's mean genetic distances ( D) and identities ( I) ranged from 0.000 to 0.130 and 1.000 to 0.878, respectively, underlining the marked genetic divergence detected. Some evidence of microgeographic differentiation (between replicates within sites) was observed. Individuals collected from northerly limits of the sampled area (42: 06 S, 58:09 W) were most genetically distinct ( I = 0.878−0.904), suggesting the existence of a hitherto unrecognised subspecies or species of Illex. Emphasis is placed on the need to delimit putative stock boundaries, and develop appropriate population models to ensure conservation of genetic resources.