Abstract
The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta is a commercially important bivalve in Japan. The current distribution of this species in Japan is limited to Ariake Bay, where the fishery stock is declining. It is necessary to understand the genetic population structure of this species in order to restore the fishery stock while preserving the genetic diversity of the clam. Here, we report for the first time the genetic population structure of S. constricta in Ariake Bay, Japan. Paired-end restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) analyzed samples of S. constricta collected from seven mudflats located along Ariake Bay. Two different genetic populations exist in Ariake Bay, one inhabiting wild habitats and the other inhabiting the transplanted area of artificial seedlings. Our results suggest that genetic differentiation occurred between these two populations (Fst value = 0.052), and a high level of genetic differentiation is maintained between the two groups. In the future, monitoring the interbreeding status of the two genetically distinct populations and the genetic differentiation within each population is important for conserving the genetic diversity of S. constricta in Japan.
Highlights
The technique of artificially producing seedlings and releasing them into fishing grounds is an effective method of aquaculture enhancement
We used 30 individuals for restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-Seq) analysis, including 16 individuals collected from wild habitats, 12 individuals collected from the transplanted area of artificial seedlings, and two individuals stored at the Saga Prefectural Ariake Fisheries Research and Development Center (Table 1)
All our analyses of the RAD-Seq data showed that individuals collected from wild habitats were genetically different from those collected from sites where artificial seedlings were transplanted
Summary
The technique of artificially producing seedlings and releasing them into fishing grounds is an effective method of aquaculture enhancement. Large numbers of seedlings are often produced by a few broodstocks and released into natural seawater, which reduces the genetic diversity of wild populations in the field. The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta (Lamarck, 1818) is an important economic species in East Asian coastal waters[8,9,10] and is widely farmed in C hina[10]. This species was once distributed from central to western Japan[11,12] but is restricted to the mudflats around Ariake Bay on the west coast of Kyushu in western Japan. Propose guidelines concerning the optimal seed production and seed release methods for the conservation of the genetic diversity of S. constricta in Japan
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