International eel symposium, 2003 - Quebec August 11, 2003
Poster Session

Genetic Differentiation of Japanese Eel Anguilla japonica inferred from GA/GT Microsatellite Loci

Tseng, M.C.* Department of Zoology, College of Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, ROC. aqsunkimo@yahoo.com.tw
Tzeng, W.N. Department of Zoology, College of Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106, ROC.
Lee, S.C. Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan 106 ROC

Presenter email address: aqsunkimo AT yahoo.com.tw

Abstract Text: The population structure of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica were studied using polymorphic microsatellites as genetic markers. Six microsatellite loci (AJMS-1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 10) were resolved from 371 individuals collected from northeastern Asian countries including Taiwan, China, Japan, and Korea. The results indicate high genetic polymorphism as represented by high observed heterozygosity (0.60-0.83). Five of six loci in each of the samples showed a departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p< 0.05). The widely ranging unbiased Nei's genetic distance (0.04-0.17, mean 0.10), support a possible regional substructuring of the population. Genetic differentiation represented by values of Fst and Rst mostly revealed significance among the nine samples investigated. Samples shown on the unrooted Neighbor-joining tree were largely divided into three groups: a low-latitudinal group (Shantou, Tanshui, Fangliao, and Tungkang), a high-latitudinal group (D'cheon-myon, Yalu River, and Hangzhou), and a Japanese group (Mikawa Bay). Lower genetic distances were observed among several temporal samples in Taiwan. The evidence shown by this study refutes the previous assumption of a panmictic population.