Population genetic structure of the European conger (Conger conger) in North East Atlantic and West Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

Assessment of population genetic structure is crucial in species conservation and stock management. The use of multiple markers is recommended to obtain accurate studies. In this study, a panel of five microsatellite loci described for Conger myriaster was optimized for the European conger eel Conger conger. These are the first hypervariable nuclear loci employed for C. conger population study and have a high discrimination power. A total of 67 alleles were observed for Atlantic and Mediterranean samples with an average number of alleles per locus of 13.4 (range 4–24). Variation at these microsatellite loci was combined with mitochondrial control region sequences (395bp) to explore genetic structure of C. conger across the Cantabrian Sea (North East Atlantic ocean) and the West Mediterranean Sea. Overall, there is not total isolation between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean stocks, as previously suggested in other studies, but a subtle differentiation. Cross-species amplification of microsatellite loci in C. conger is hoped to encourage further population studies of this species and the development of new nuclear markers in order to provide scientific advice for the stock management.