Genetic structure of Octopus minor around Chinese waters as indicated by nuclear DNA variations (Mollusca, Cephalopoda).

Li Gong,Hubdar Ali Kaleri,Xun Du,Faiz Muhammad,Muhammad Shafi,Liqin Liu,Zhen-Ming Lü

doi:10.3897/zookeys.775.24258

Abstract

Octopus minor is an economically important resource commonly found in Chinese coastal waters. The nuclear gene (RD and ODH) approach of investigation has not reported in this species. Rhodopsin (RD) and octopine dehydrogenase (ODH) genes were used to elaborate the genetic structure collected from eight localities ranging from the northern to the southern coast of China. In total, 118 individuals for the RD gene and 108 for the ODH were sequenced. Overall (RD and ODH) genes resulted in high (0.741±0.032; 0.805±0.038) haplotype and low nucleotide (0.01261±0.00165; 0.00747±0.00086) diversity. Molecular variance displayed higher values among the populations and lower values within the population where the fixation index FST denoted 0.880 and 0.584 in RD and ODH genes respectively. The Dongshan population clustered separately in a phylogenetic tree as in the haplotype networking assessment. The current data suggests that the Dongshan population needs separate management.

Highlights

The class Cephalopoda embraces animals which are exclusively marine inhabitants
The basic information of genetic variation and population structure is valuable for stocking, fisheries management, and conservation (Feng et al 2017)
Our present analysis of two nuclear DNA gene sequences in O. minor collected from eight locations imparted variation

Summary

Introduction

The class Cephalopoda embraces animals which are exclusively marine inhabitants. They have immense commercial and ecological significance, including a profound contribution as a source of protein for humans. Three hundred species of octopus are thought to exist along the coastal waters of Korea, China, and Japan (Roper et al 1984; Norman and Sweeney 1997; Kang et al 2012). One hundred thirty-four species are reported only in Chinese waters including the profit-making species like Octopus minor, Amphioctopus fangsiao, and Cistopus chinensis (Lu et al 2012). The nuclear DNA markers have been widely used for various investigations including identification, population genetics, comparisons between wild and captive populations, demographic evaluations, and rehabilitation projects (Chauhan and Rajiv 2010)

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Conclusion