Comparison of genetic diversity between released prawn and recaptured kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus

Abstract

We examined the genetic diversity of hatchery-reared kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus before and after stocking into the natural environment to determine if it was affected by survival after release. Genetically marked prawns were released in the central Seto Inland Sea in 2009 and 2010. In 2009 and 2010, 66 and 99 DNA-identified prawns, respectively, were recaptured. In both years, the genetic diversity of recaptured prawn was comparative to that of released prawn. Further, family size distribution was not significantly difference between the before- and after-release groups. The results suggest that the genetic diversity did not decrease due to survival after release.