Plankton and Benthos Research
Online ISSN : 1882-627X
Print ISSN : 1880-8247
ISSN-L : 1880-8247
Original Papers
Genetic population structure of Neptune whelk in northern Japan inferred from microsatellite DNA variation
Noriko AzumaRichard M. MirandaSeiji GoshimaSyuiti Abe
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2011 Volume 6 Issue 1 Pages 42-50

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Abstract

Genetic population structure of the Neptune whelk (Neptunea arthritica) in northern Japan was estimated from six samples collected from Hokkaido and one sample from Aomori, in northernmost Honshu, using five polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci. Pairwise FST estimates indicated a genetic cline from eastern and northeastern Hokkaido to southern Hokkaido and northernmost Honshu. The individual-based assignment method and analyses of molecular variance suggested three geographic groups within this cline. The observed population structure was most likely influenced by isolation-by-distance with restricted gene flow, as suggested by the significant correlation between genetic and geographic distance for the entire region examined. The inferred restriction of gene flow is likely due to the poor dispersal ability of this species, which has a benthic, sedentary life history and passive dispersal along the coasts. The observed genetic structure of N. arthritica will be useful for conservation and fisheries management of this species.

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© 2011 The Plankton Society of Japan, The Japanese Association of Benthology
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