Protein variation in the eye lens nucleus of the mackerel scad ( Decapterus pinnulatus)

Abstract

1. 1. Electrophoretic patterns were prepared from mackerel scad ( Decapterus pinnulatus) nuclear eye lens protein extracted in 0·018 g% NaCl solution. 2. 2. Sixteen fish from Hawaii and sixteen from Kauai, islands 300 miles apart, produced two protein patterns in common. Kauai fish produced two additional patterns, suggesting separate breeding populations of different sizes. 3. 3. The uniformity of many patterns demonstrates the reliability of the electrophoretic procedure and the genetic basis of the patterns. 4. 4. Low molecular weight nuclear lens proteins vary intraspecifically, permitting identification of separate breeding populations. High molecular weight proteins are less variable; consequently, they should be particularly useful in systematics research.