MEPS 343:229-237 (2007) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps06922
Spatial scale of genetic structuring in coastal cod Gadus morhua and geographic extent of local populations
Per Erik Jorde1,2,*, Halvor Knutsen1, Sigurd Heiberg Espeland2, Nils Chr. Stenseth1,2
ABSTRACT: We estimated the spatial scale of genetically distinguishable populations of coastal Atlantic cod Gadus morhua using microsatellite DNA markers. Significant overall heterogeneity in allele frequencies was found among 5 cod samples (n = 493) along a 79 km segment of the Norwegian Skagerrak coast (FST = 0.0013; p = 0.021). Most (3 out of 4) samples separated by less than 30 km were genetically highly similar (FST < 0), whereas more distantly separated samples were typically genetically different. This genetic differentiation pattern indicates a patchy population structure with local coastal cod populations being limited in geographic extent to approx. 30 km or less. The spatial structure is thus on the scale of local fjords, suggesting a role for local topography in shaping population structure. The population structuring of coastal cod is more fine-scaled than hitherto reported, but is consistent with mark–recapture studies and data on egg distributions, and emphasises the need to focus on local populations in the management of marine fishes.
KEY WORDS: Spatial scale · Coastal Atlantic cod · Gadus morhua · Local populations · Genetic differentiation · Microsatellites
| Full text in pdf format | Cite this article as: Jorde PE, Knutsen H, Espeland SH, Stenseth NC
(2007) Spatial scale of genetic structuring in coastal cod Gadus morhua and geographic extent of local populations. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 343:229-237. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps06922
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