Anchovy Species Research Articles

Anomalous ocean currents and European anchovy dispersal in the Iberian ecosystem

Unlike other upwelling areas where sardine and anchovy species dominate the pelagic ecosystems, the Western Iberian ecosystem has been consistently dominated by European sardine Engraulis encrasicolus, while anchovy had a residual presence from the start of acoustic surveys, in 1989, to 2014. Since 2015, the abundance of anchovy in the Western Iberian margins has sharply increased and continues to show an increasing trend as of 2023. It is unclear if this increase is a result of dispersal from nearby recruitment areas, higher survival rates of early life stages due to favorable environmental conditions, or both. We used a set of different models to simulate the dispersion and survival of anchovy early life stages in the Iberian region for the years preceding the increase in anchovy abundance. An ocean model simulation with the model CROCO provided the fields used as background for Lagrangian simulations coupled to an individual-based model of anchovy eggs and larvae. We simulated the years 2013-2015, and the results show that in 2014 and 2015, anomalous upper-ocean circulation patterns with strong and persistent westward currents transported a large number of eggs and larvae from the Bay of Biscay (BoB) westward along the Northern Iberian margin. The maximum transport occurred in June and July 2015, when 8 and 4%, respectively, of the eggs spawned in the BoB potentially reached the Iberian west coast as larvae. This process might explain the increase in anchovy abundance in the Western Iberian ecosystem. The results of the study show that episodes of anomalous intense ocean currents, when coincident with high presence of eggs, can lead to the colonization of new areas, and connectivity between areas varies dramatically with time.

DNA Barcoding of Anchovy in Tuban Regency as Database of Indonesian Marine Genetic Diversity

Anchovy is the main catch and the primary consumption of coastal communities in Indonesia, and its production shows an increase of more than 10% in 2021. Tuban district, in East Java, Indonesia is part of the WPP 712 (Wilayah Pengelolaan Perikanan or Fisheries Management Area) and highly produces anchovies’ fisheries. Anchovy has a small size, making it difficult to identify morphologically. This study aimed to genetically identify anchovy samples obtained from North Java (Tuban) waters. Molecular identification was conducted by utilizing Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene using jg-HCO and jg-LCO primers. This study observed 12 individual samples with 623 base pair sequence length. Five species were obtained, namely four species of anchovies (Encrasicholina heteroloba, Encrasicholina punctifer, Stolephorus waitei, and Stolephorus insularis) and one species of sardines (Dussumieria elopsoides) with 99.84-100% similarity to NCBI sequences data. Anchovies typically have a streamlined body with a slightly compressed shape. Anchovies have cycloid scales, which are smooth-edged and relatively small, ranging from a few centimeters to around 20 centimeters in length. Some of the genus from the Anchovy group are Encrasicholina and Stolephorus. The phylogenetic tree reconstruction leads into four clades with a genetic distance between clades of 17,9-24,5 %. This research provides methods and data on the genetic diversity of anchovies taxa caught in Tuban, East Java. The findings are expected to support promoting new standards for healthier and more sustainable anchovy stocks in the country. Overall, this study contributes to providing valuable insights for fisheries management and conservation efforts in Indonesia.

DNA Barcoding Approach: Assessing Diversity of Economically Important Anchovy on the Northern Coast of Java, Indonesia

Abstract Anchovy is one of the economically important fish in the western part of the northern coast of Central Java. The production of anchovies extends along the coast from Brebes Regency to Batang Regency. Therefore, this study aims to determine the diversity of anchovies on the northern coast of Central Java (Brebes, Tegal, Pemalang, Batang, and Kendal), using a molecular approach. This study was conducted from April to September 2019 in the Laboratory of Tropical Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro. The descriptive exploratory method was applied in this study with a random sampling technique, while the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene was used for molecular identification. An anchovy sample molecularly identified from each region was found by sampling, including BB 3, PML 2, BTG 1, BTG 2, BTG 4, TGL 2, TGL 4, KDL 1, and KDL 4. The base-pair length of 10 anchovy samples from the COI gene amplification result was 600-700 bp. The sequencing and alignment results of the BLAST analysis showed that the ten anchovy samples were included in the type of Encrasicholina heteroloba, Stolephorus commersoni, Stolephorus waitei and Atherinomorus sp., which ranged from 98 to 99% similarity in location. Therefore, it is concluded that there were at least four different species of anchovy on the northern coast of Java. However, further research is suggested to determine the genetic variation of each species for better fisheries management.

Anchovy (the Engraulidae family) and All of the Potential Aspect: A literature Review

Anchovies are little pelagic fish that are widely distributed in the ocean. This fish has great potential, therefore it must be nurtured. The classic review is the research approach utilized in the literature review. The Mediterranean Sea, Northwest Africa, Bone Bay, Jepara, Ambon Bay, Morocco's Atlantic Coast, Kayeli Bay, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, the Red Sea of Eritrea, and Argentina are inhabited to 172 species of anchovy. The catch size, length, and weight of the fish also vary considerably. Seasonal and environmental variables play a significant effect. In certain areas, the potentials for collecting anchovies can still be expanded while maintaining sustainability. This fish is consumed by the general populace. Comprehensive nutrient profile so that it may be turned into food products (food diversification). Moreover, anchovies include vitamins A, B12, D, and E. Dried anchovies, pepes, tinned anchovies, peanut brittle, fried flour anchovies, cassava/kaoami, biscuits, snacks, chili sauce, infant food additions, and anchovies crispy-sweet are among the several forms of anchovies. By empowering the community, anchovy diversification is accomplished very successfully since it may boost their economic. Anchovy waste may also be converted into fish meal for use as quail feed

Species diversity of anchovies (Teleostei: Engraulidae) along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Anchovies (Teleostei: Engraulidae) play an important ecological role in tropical coastal ecosystems because of their abundance. In parallel, and for the same reason, they are extensively harvested. Yet, their diversity remains insufficiently documented in many regions. In this study, we surveyed the diversity of anchovies along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia based on the recently collected material with the objective to update the taxonomic list of common species and to build a database of two mitochondrial DNA markers useful for identifying species, the “barcode” fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase I gene and the whole cytochrome b gene. We first selectively collected, preserved and examined 163 specimens, comprising five genera and 16 species. All species have been described, none is endemic but one of them (Stolephorus tri) is a new record for this region. The genotyping of 74 of these specimens revealed that each species is genetically distinct to others and diagnosable. Comparisons between our list and previous inventory works based on morphology and genetics, within and nearby this region, revealed both similarities and differences. The possible causes of differences are discussed. Although certainly incomplete, our revised list of common species of anchovies along with referenced material are valuable not only to document their diversity along the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia but also to inform future fisheries management studies.

Redescription of Anchoviella cayennensis (Puyo, 1945) (Clupeiformes: Engraulidae), with the synonymization of Anchoviella sanfranciscana Barbosa, Gomes da Silva, da Rocha Araújo & Carvalho, 2017 and remarks on Anchoviella perfasciata (Poey,1860).

Anchoviella cayennensis (Puyo, 1945) is a relatively small-sized, coastal and estuarine western Atlantic species of anchovy distributed from Suriname to southeastern Brazil. The species is morphologically similar to Anchoviella perfasciata (Poey, 1860) from the Central and western North Atlantic, and it has been suggested in the literature that both are actually synonyms. The recently described Anchoviella sanfranciscana (Barbosa et al., 2017) was reported as endemic to the estuary of the São Francisco River, northeastern Brazil. Most characters proposed as diagnostic for A. sanfranciscana in the description are, however, similar to the ones reported for A. cayennensis and A. perfasciata. To determine the complex taxonomic scenario involving the three species, 24 morphometric and 13 meristic characters of 171 specimens tentatively identified as A. perfasciata (including the holotype) and A. cayennensis from the Central and South Atlantic in addition to the holotype and 19 paratypes of A. sanfranciscana (total: 191 specimens) were analysed. The PCAs of morphometric characters indicate the existence of two groups, which are recognized as A. perfasciata and A. cayennensis, with A. sanfranciscana proposed as a junior synonym of the later. Further evidence from gill arch dentition also indicates that A. perfasciata and A. cayennensis are distinct valid species. A redescription of A. cayennensis is presented, with a neotype proposed for the species. Confirmation of the identity of specimens attributed to A. cayennensis indicates that its southern limitof distribution is in the Rio de Janeiro State, southeastern Brazil. An updated taxonomic key for the estuarine and coastal Atlantic species of Anchoviella is also presented.

Global conservation status of the world's most prominent forage fishes (Teleostei: Clupeiformes)

Understanding the extinction risk of taxonomic groups increases our ability to prioritize efforts to address biodiversity loss. Over 400 species of herrings, shads, sardines, anchovies, menhadens, and relatives belong to the Order Clupeiformes and include many of the most important forage fishes. These small, schooling fishes are ecologically, economically, and culturally significant. However, despite their global contribution to fisheries and our increasing reliance on them for food and modern commodities, we lack critical information regarding basic biology and population trends for most species. We applied the IUCN Red List methodology, a comprehensive and systematic approach to assess extinction risk, to all clupeiform species. The best estimate suggests nearly 11% of species are of elevated conservation concern, although this could be as high as 36%. Two regions, the Caribbean and the Indo-Malay-Philippine Archipelago have high concentrations of threatened and Data Deficient species and are areas of conservation concern. Major threats include overexploitation, pollution, and habitat modification. Immediate conservation priorities include: 1) increasing research and mitigative action directed toward species assessed as threatened or Data Deficient; 2) improving fisheries management regulations for the understudied but heavily exploited species, and 3) promoting local, intensive habitat restoration to reduce pollution and remove dams. These extinction risk assessments and subsequent analyses should be used as an informative tool for fisheries and conservation managers and to monitor conservation progress.

Morphological identification and molecular validation of anchovies (Engraulidae) in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.

Validation of species using independent lines of evidence is sometimes desirable when their identification using only one approach is difficult or questionable. The identification of anchovies (Engraulidae) are often challenging based on morphology because closely related species exhibit only slight morphological differentiation. This study utilized morphological characteristics and DNA barcodes for identification and validation of anchovies in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. Based on morphology, we identified eight species: Thryssa hamiltonii, T. setirostris, T. vitrirostris, T. whiteheadi, T. dussumieri, Encrasicholina punctifer, E. pseudoheteroloba and Stolephorus indicus. A 658 bp region of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was generated for 53 specimens from these eight species. From these sequences, we built a Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree. In this tree, each species forms a monophyletic group confirming our initial morphological identification. In addition, we provided (and registered in GenBank) the first barcode sequences for T. whiteheadi, an endemic species of this region. Interspecies genetic distances were comprised between 0.168 to 0.275. The largest genetic distance was found between T. vitrirostris and S. indicus and the smallest between T. dussumieri and T. whiteheadi. This study successfully identified eight species of anchovies in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea based on both morphological and molecular characters.

Metabolic measurements and parameter estimations for bioenergetics modelling of Pacific Chub Mackerel Scomber japonicus

AbstractAs a crucial step in developing a bioenergetics model for Pacific Chub Mackerel Scomber japonicus (hereafter chub mackerel), parameters related to metabolism, the largest dissipation term in bioenergetics modelling, were estimated. Swimming energetics and metabolic data for nine chub mackerel were collected at 14°C, a low temperature within the typical thermal range of this species, using variable‐speed swim‐tunnel respirometry. These new data were combined with previous speed‐dependent metabolic data at 18 and 24°C and single‐speed (1 fork length per second: FL/s) metabolic data at 15 and 20°C to estimate respiration parameters for model development. Based on the combined data, the optimal swimming speed (the swimming speed with the minimum cost of transport, Uopt) was 42.5 cm/s (1.5–3.0 FL/s or 2.1 ± 0.4 FL/s) and showed no significant dependence on temperature or fish size. The daily mass‐specific oxygen consumption rate (R, g O2 g fish−1 day−1) was expressed as a function of fish mass (W), temperature (T) and swimming speed (U): R = 0.0103W−0.490 e(0.0457T) e(0.0235U). Compared to other small pelagic fishes such as Pacific Herring Clupea harengus pallasii, Pacific Sardine Sardinops sagax and various anchovy species, chub mackerel respiration showed a lower dependence on fish mass, temperature and swimming speed, suggesting a greater swimming ability and lower sensitivity to environmental temperature variation.

Finding an economic and environmental balance in value chains based on circular economy thinking: An eco-efficiency methodology applied to the fish canning industry

The production of food that is environmentally friendly and presents a high economic return is one of the current concerns for the food industry. Eco-efficiency links the environmental performance of a product to its economic value. In this context, this study combines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) to propose a two-step eco-efficiency methodology assessment for the fish canning industry. An eco-label rating system based on a descriptive weighting of environmental (Global Warming Potential, Acidification Potential, Eutrophication Potential and the ReCiPe Single Score Endpoint) and economic (Value Added) indicators was applied to the canned anchovy. Secondly, LCA-LCC results were coupled to linear programming (LP) tools in order to define a composite eco-efficiency index. This approach enables translation into economic terms of the environmental damage caused when a given alternative is chosen. In particular, different origins for anchovy species (South American vs. Cantabrian) and related waste management alternatives (landfill, incineration and valorization) were evaluated under this cradle to gate approach. Results indicated that substantial differences can be observed depending on the origin of the fish. Anchovies landed in Cantabria show a higher value added score at the expense of larger environmental impacts, mainly due to fuel use intensity. Moreover, its environmental scores are lowered when fish residues are valorized into marketable products, while increasing the value added. This study demonstrates the environmental and economic benefits of applying circular economy. According to this, it is possible to introduce the cradle-to-cradle concept in the fish canned industry. The methodology proposed is intended to be useful to decision-makers in the anchovy canning sector and can be applied to other regions and industrial sectors.

Age, growth, mortality and movement patterns of shortjaw tapertail anchovy, Coilia brachygnathus, in the channel connecting Dongting Lake and the Yangtze River in central China

Shortjaw tapertail anchovy, Coilia brachygnathus, is one of the anchovy species that exclusively lives in freshwaters, which is the dominant species in Dongting Lake. In order to explain its success as a dominant species in Dongting Lake, the basic biological knowledge of this species was studied from July 2013 to July 2015 in the channel connecting Dongting Lake and the Yangtze River. A total of 11 064 samples of C. brachygnathus were collected, and their standard length ranged between 6.8 and 35.4 cm. The length–weight relationship was W = 0.0026 L3.057, and von Bertalanffy growth curve was Lt = 36.41(1 − e−0.28(t+0.8)). The exploitation rate (E) of 0.49, indicated no overfishing on this species. Its movement patterns were highly significantly and positively correlated with the rate of variation in water level, discharge and water temperature. When water level (discharge and temperatures) were rising (mainly March to July), C. brachygnathus migrated into Dongting Lake, peaking in May. When the water level (discharge and temperatures) were falling (mainly October to December), the migratory behaviour changed to exiting Dongting Lake, peaking in October. The present study suggests, fast generation time, low exploitation rate and the river–lake movements (migrations) are the possible reasons that made C. brachygnathus a dominant species in this area.

A vertebrate retina with segregated colour and polarization sensitivity.

Besides colour and intensity, some invertebrates are able to independently detect the polarization of light. Among vertebrates, such separation of visual modalities has only been hypothesized for some species of anchovies whose cone photoreceptors have unusual ultrastructure that varies with retinal location. Here, I tested this hypothesis by performing physiological experiments of colour and polarization discrimination using the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax Optic nerve recordings showed that the ventro-temporal (VT), but not the ventro-nasal (VN), retina was polarization sensitive, and this coincided with the exclusive presence of polarization-sensitive photoreceptors in the VT retina. Spectral (colour) sensitivity recordings from the VN retina indicated the contribution of two spectral cone mechanisms to the optic nerve response, whereas only one contributed to the VT retina. This was supported by the presence of only one visual pigment in the VT retina and two in the VN retina, suggesting that only the VN retina was associated with colour sensitivity. Behavioural tests further demonstrated that anchovies could discriminate colour and the polarization of light using the ventral retina. Thus, in analogy with the visual system of some invertebrates, the northern anchovy has a retina with segregated retinal pathways for colour and polarization vision.

Molecular systematics of the anchovy genus Encrasicholina in the Northwest Pacific.

The anchovy genus Encrasicholina is an important coastal marine resource of the tropical Indo-West Pacific (IWP) region for which insufficient comparative data are available to evaluate the effects of current exploitation levels on the sustainability of its species and populations. Encrasicholina currently comprises nine valid species that are morphologically very similar. Only three, Encrasicholina punctifer, E. heteroloba, and E. pseudoheteroloba, occur in the Northwest Pacific subregion of the northeastern part of the IWP region. These species are otherwise broadly distributed and abundant in the IWP region, making them the most important anchovy species for local fisheries. In this study, we reconstructed the phylogeny of these three species of Encrasicholina within the Engraulidae. We sequenced 10 complete mitochondrial genomes (using high-throughput and Sanger DNA sequencing technologies) and compared those sequences to 21 previously published mitochondrial genomes from various engraulid taxa. The phylogenetic results showed that the genus Encrasicholina is monophyletic, and it is the sister group to the more-diverse "New World anchovy" clade. The mitogenome-based dating results indicated that the crown group Encrasicholina originated about 33.7 million years ago (nearby the limit Eocene/Oligocene), and each species of Encrasicholina has been reproductively isolated from the others for more than 20 million years, despite their morphological similarities. In contrast, preliminary population genetic analyses across the Northwest Pacific region using four mitogenomic sequences revealed very low levels of genetic differentiation within Encrasicholina punctifer. These molecular results combined with recent taxonomic revisions are important for designing further studies on the population structure and phylogeography of these anchovies.

Exploratory Study for Acoustical Species Identification of Anchovies in the South Sea of South Korea

We conducted a hydroacoustic-trawl survey from April 16–19, 2013, for acoustical identification of anchovies in the South Sea of South Korea. Three types of fish schools were defined on the basis of the trawl results: L7 (schools mixed with 57 % hairtail and 37 % anchovy), L8 (schools with 95 % anchovy), and L1 (schools with unknown species). According to the results, the bathymetric characteristics (school depth, water depth, and altitude) of L1 were similar to those of L7; however, the morphometric characteristics (length, height, area, and image compactness) of L1 were similar to those of L8. To confirm whether L1 was more similar to L8 or L7, we used the ΔMVBS method [where ΔMVBS is difference of mean volume backscattering strength (MVBS) at 38 and 120 kHz] with three cell sizes, 0.1 nmi × 2 m, 0.25 nmi × 4 m, and 0.5 nmi × 5 m; the ΔMVBS pattern of L1 seemed similar to that of L8, but not that of L7. By using one-way analysis of variance, we noted significant differences of frequency characteristics between L7 and L8 and L7 and L1, supporting the results of the ΔMVBS method. Moreover, only 0.1 nmi × 2 m and 0.25 nmi × 4 m were the appropriate cell sizes for anchovy species identification. This exploratory study may form the basis for other species identification.

Biocomplexity in Populations of European Anchovy in the Adriatic Sea.

The sustained exploitation of marine populations requires an understanding of a species' adaptive seascape so that populations can track environmental changes from short- and long-term climate cycles and from human development. The analysis of the distributions of genetic markers among populations, together with correlates of life-history and environmental variability, can provide insights into the extent of adaptive variation. Here, we examined genetic variability among populations of mature European anchovies (n = 531) in the Adriatic (13 samples) and Tyrrhenian seas (2 samples) with neutral and putative non-neutral microsatellite loci. These genetic markers failed to confirm the occurrence of two anchovy species in the Adriatic Sea, as previously postulated. However, we found fine-scale population structure in the Adriatic, especially in northern areas, that was associated with four of the 13 environmental variables tested. Geographic gradients in sea temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen appear to drive adaptive differences in spawning time and early larval development among populations. Resolving adaptive seascapes in Adriatic anchovies provides a means to understand mechanisms underpinning local adaptation and a basis for optimizing exploitation strategies for sustainable harvests.

An Eocene anchovy from Monte Bolca, Italy: The earliest known record for the family Engraulidae

AbstractEngraulids, also known as anchovies, are a distinctive group of clupeoid fishes characterized by a series of derived morphological features of the snout and infraorbital bones, suspensorium and branchial arches. Although anchovies are very abundant today, they are scarcely represented in the fossil record. A new genus and species of anchovy, †Eoengraulis fasoloigen. et sp. nov., is described from the Eocene (late Ypresian,c. 50 Ma) locality of Monte Bolca, Italy. It is based on a single well-preserved articulated skeleton that exhibits a unique combination of characters that supports its recognition as a new genus of the family Engraulidae, including: nine branchiostegal rays; 40 preural vertebrae and 17 pairs of pleural ribs; pleural ribs – preural vertebrae ratio 0.42; seven supraneurals; dorsal-fin origin at about mid-length of the body; about 16 dorsal-fin rays; anal-fin origin slightly behind the base of the last dorsal-fin ray; 19 anal-fin rays; seven pelvic-fin rays; and small needle-like pre-pelvic scutes. The morphological structure of the single available specimen suggests that †Eoengraulis fasoloiis the sister taxon of all other engrauline taxa. †Eoengraulis fasoloiis the oldest member of the family Engraulidae known to date. This taxon suggests that the earliest phases of diversification of engrauline anchovies probably occurred in the coastal palaeobiotopes of the western Tethys during Eocene time.

남해 동부 멸치어군의 다중주파수 특성

The multi-frequency characteristics of anchovy schools were investigated using six acoustic lines collected at 38 and 120 kHz while a primary trawl survey was conducted from 14 April and 18 April of 2014 in off the coast of Tongyeong and Geo-je. Here, the frequency characteristics mean that is the difference of Mean Volume Backscattering Strength at two frequencies. To use the characteristics effectively, the optimal cell size () was determined by examining several different cell sizes in consideration with the shapes of fish schools and the pattern. By examining 6 histograms of , afternoon groups were occupied more in the range of -6~-4 dB than that of -4~-2 dB, comparing to morning groups. The range of the morning groups was between -16.9 dB and 11.6 dB, and that of the afternoon groups -16.7 dB and 13.0 dB. The average and standard deviation were dB in the morning and dB in the afternoon, suggesting that morning groups were 2 dB higher than afternoon groups. The range of all anchovy schools regardless of morning and afternoon was between -16.9 dB and 13.0 dB, their average was dB. The characteristics can support to identify anchovy species in the waters where multiple fish species are distributed. It is hoped that this study presents the availability and benefit of acoustic data from a primary trawl survey.

A new species of anchovy, Encrasicholina macrocephala (Clupeiformes:Engraulidae), from the northwestern Indian Ocean.

A new species of anchovy, Encrasicholina macrocephala, is described on the basis of 17 specimens collected from the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. The species is closely related to E. devisi in that both species have three unbranched rays in the dorsal and anal fins, and a long upper jaw (posterior tip extending beyond posterior margin of preopercle). However, the new species is distinguished from E. devisi in having lower counts of total pectoral-fin rays (11-14 vs. 13-15) and pseudobranchial filaments (15-18 vs. 18-22), longer head length (29.5-31.7% of standard length vs. 25.4-28.9% in the latter), upper-jaw length (21.3-23.5% vs. 14.6-21.3%), and lower-jaw length (19.5-21.2% vs. 14.2-19.5%), and a shorter distance between the dorsal-fin origin to the pectoral-fin insertion (83.2-95.2% of head length vs. 97.6-126.1%).

2013년-2014년 춘계와 동계에 대한 통영과 여수 연안역의 멸치 어군의 현존량 추정

Anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) is one of the most important species in the South Sea of South Korea. In order to estimate the biomass of anchovy, acoustic surveys, concurrently with trawling, were conducted in April, July, and September of 2013 and February of 2014 off the coast of Tongyeong and Yeosu. However, anchovies were found only during spring (April) and winter (February) surveys. To display only anchovy species confirmed by trawls on empty spaced echograms, virtual echograms were created. Three target strength (TS) values of anchovy were used: TS_z

Genetic Distances and Variations of Three Clupeid Species Determined by PCR Technique

ABSTRACTIn this study, seven oligonucleotides primers were shown to generate the shared loci, specific loci, unique shared loci to each species and shared loci by the three species which could be obviously calculated. Euclidean genetic distances within- and between-species were also calculated by complete linkage method with the sustenance of the hierarchical dendrogram program Systat version 13. The genomic DNA isolated from herring (Clupea pallasii), Korean anchovy (Coilia nasus) and large-eyed herring (Harengula zunashi), respectively, in the Yellow Sea, were amplified several times by PCR reaction. The hierarchical dendrogram shows three chief branches: cluster 1 (PALLASII 01, 02, 03, 04, 06 and 07), cluster 2 (NASUS 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14), and cluster 3 (ZUNASHI 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and PALLASII 05). In three clupeid species, the shortest genetic distance displaying significant molecular difference was between individual PALLASII no. 03 and PALLASII no. 02 (0.018). Individual no. 06 of PALLASII was most distantly related to NASUS no. 11 (genetic distance = 0.318). Individuals from herring (C. pallasii) species (0.920) exhibited higher bandsharing values than did individuals from Korean anchovy (C. nasus) species (0.872) (P<0.05). As a result, this PCR analysis generated on the genetic data displayed that the herring (C. pallasii) species was widely separated from Korean anchovy (C. nasus) species. Reversely, individuals of Korean anchovy (C. nasus) species were a little closely related to those of large-eyed herring (H. zunashi) species.