The loss of genetic diversity during captive breeding of the endangered sculpin, Trachidermus fasciatus, based on ISSR markers: implications for its conservation

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to determine the genetic variation and genetic differentiation of cultured and wild populations of Trachidermus fasciatus, an endangered catadromous fish species in China. Six selected primers were used to amplify DNA samples from 85 individuals, and 353 loci were detected. Relatively low genetic diversity was detected in the cultured population (the percentage of polymorphic loci PPL = 73.80%, Nei’s gene diversity h = 0.178 2, Shannon information index ...     

Genetic diversity in two Japanese flounder populations from China seas inferred using microsatellite markers and COI sequences

Japanese flounder is one of the most important commercial species in China; however, information on the genetic background of natural populations in China seas is scarce. The lack of genetic data has hampered fishery management and aquaculture development programs for this species. In the present study, we have analyzed the genetic diversity in natural populations of Japanese flounder sampled from the Yellow Sea (Qingdao population, QD) and East China Sea (Zhoushan population, ZS) using 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequencing data. A total of 68 different alleles were observed over 10 microsatellite loci. The total number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 9, and the number of genotypes per locus ranged from 3 to 45. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity in QD were 0.733 and 0.779, respectively, and in ZS the heterozygosity values were 0.708 and 0.783, respectively. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed in 7 of the 10 microsatellite loci in each of the two populations. The COI sequencing analysis revealed 25 polymorphic sites and 15 haplotypes in the two populations. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity in the QD population were 0.746±0.072 8 and 0.003 34±0.001 03 respectively, and in ZS population the genetic diversity values were 0.712±0.047 0 and 0.003 18±0.000 49, respectively. The microsatellite data (F_st =0.048 7, P<0.001) and mitochondrial DNA data (F_st =0.128, P<0.001) both revealed significant genetic differentiation between the two populations. The information on the genetic variation and differentiation in Japanese flounder obtained in this study could be used to set up suitable guidelines for the management and conservation of this species, as well as for managing artificial selection programs. In future studies, more geographically diverse stocks should be used to obtain a deeper understanding of the population structure of Japanese flounder in the China seas and adjacent regions.     

Analysis of the genetic diversity and differentiation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fenneropenaeus penicillatus</Emphasis> populations using AFLP technology

Fenneropenaeus penicillatus (redtail shrimp) is an important marine commercial animal in China. Recently, its resources have been depleted rapidly as a result of, for example, over-exploitation and environmental degradation of spawning grounds. Therefore, we analyzed the genetic diversity and differentiation of nine wild populations of F. penicillatus of China (Ningde, Lianjiang, Putian, Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangpu, Dongshan, Nanao, and Shenzhen populations) by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technology, to provide genetic information necessary for resource protection, rejuvenation, artificial breeding, and sustainable use of the resource. Eight AFLP primer pairs were used for amplification, and 508 bands were detected among the populations. The results show that the percentage of polymorphic loci (P) ranged from 41.34% to 63.58%; the Nei’s gene diversity (H) of the populations was 0.119 4-0.230 5; and Shannon’s Information Index (I) was 0.184 1-0.342 5. These genetic data indicate that the genetic diversity of F. penicillatus was high. The genetic differentiation coefficient (GST=0.216 2) and gene flow (Nm=1.812 4) show that there was a high level of genetic differentiation and a moderate level of gene flow among populations. More studies on the genetic differentiation mechanism of F. penicillatus along the south-eastern coast of China need to be conducted to find more effective scientific protection strategies for the conservation of F. penicillatus genetic resources.     

Tissue Expression and Stock Variation of Isozymes of Stone Flounder （Kareius bicoloratus）

Tissue expression and stock variation of isozymes of stone flounder (Kareius bicoloratus) were analyzed with horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. For the fourteen enzymes assayed, 31 loci were recorded. The results indicated that all the isozymes ex- amined were obviously tissue-specific. The expressions of SOD*, GDH*, G3PDH-2* and ADH-2* were detected only in liver, SDH-1*, MDH-1* and ADH-1* only in muscle, and LDH-B* and LDH-C* only in eyes. In comparison, MDH-2*, GPI-3* and SDH-2* were detected in all tissues examined. Other loci examined were detected in a variety of tissues. Muscle and liver were se- lected to detect the isozyme variation of the two geographic stocks of Qingdao and Weihai, Shandong Province, China. The percent- ages of polymorphic loci (P0.99) were 29.17% and 25.00%, the observed heterozygosities (H0) were 0.028 ± 0.014 and 0.040 ± 0.019, and the expected heterozygosities (He) were 0.039 ± 0.017 and 0.052 ± 0.022 in Qingdao and Weihai stock, respectively. The coeffi- cient of gene differentiation (Fst) and genetic distance (D) between the two stocks was 0.012 and 0.0011, respectively, indicating that the genetic differentiation is low between them. Compared with other species of Pleuronectiformes, both the percentage of polymor- phic loci and the mean heterozygosity of K. bicoloratus were at a middle level.     

Microsatellite variation in the oyster <Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea plicatula</Emphasis> along the coast of China

Genetic diversity and differentiation of the oyster Crassostrea plicatula populations from China’s coast were studied based on seven microsatellite loci. All loci showed high polymorphism for all five C. plicatula populations, with an average number of allele per locus of 19.3–27.9 and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.889–0.952. Significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and deficits of heterozygotes were observed over most populations at each locus, which were fully explained by null alleles. Microsatellite analysis revealed significant subdivision in the C. plicatula populations. According to the neighbor-joining tree constructed on the basis of the D _A distance, the five populations fell into three regional groups, showing a relatively homogeneous genetic structure in geographically close populations. Assignation tests correctly assigned high percentages of individuals to their original populations and groups, and also confirmed the existence of genetic differentiation among C. plicatula populations. The results obtained in this study will facilitate the formulation of appropriate fisheries management programs, stock identification and conservation of biodiversity for the species.     

Genetic Variation Among White Croaker Populations

To investigate the genetic structures and differentiation of different wild populations of white croaker （Pennahia argentara）, horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was performed on 133 individuals collected from five different locations in China and Japan. The eleven enzyme systems revealed 15 loci, of which eleven were polymorphic. The percentage ofpolymorphic loci of white croaker populations varied from 6.67% to 53.3.3%; the mean observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.0033 to 0.0133 and 0.0032 to 0.0191, respectively. The expected heterozygosity revealed a low genetic variability for white croaker in comparison with other marine fishes. The genetic distances between populations ranged from 0.00005 to 0.00026. A weak differentiation was observed within each clade and between clades; and no significant differences in gene frequencies among populations were observed in white croaker. Among the five populations, three Chinese populations showed more genetic diversity than that in Japanese populations.     

Application of AFLP markers for population genetic study on half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

The genetic diversity of wild and hatchery populations of half-smooth tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis, based on observation of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was described. Two hundred individuals from four wild populations, Laizhou (LZ), Weihai (WH), Qingdao (QD), Rizhao (RZ), and one hatchery population, Mingbo (MB), were screened using eight different AFLP primer combinations. A total of 384 loci were screened in the five studied populations. 48.4%, 51.3%, 50.7%, 49.3% and 45.8% of these loci were polymorphic among the individuals tested in the LZ, WH, QD, RZ and MB populations, respectively. The number of polymorphic loci detected by single primer combinations ranged from 17 to 35. The average heterozygosity of the LZ, WH, QD, RZ and MB populations was 0.072, 0.093, 0.092, 0.090 and 0.063, respectively. The WH population showed the highest genetic diversity in terms of total number of AFLP bands, total number of polymorphic bands, average heterozygosity and percentage of low frequency (0-0.2) polymorphic loci among all the populations, while the LZ population was the lowest among the wild populations. Compared with the wild populations, the hatchery population showed a low genetic viability.     

Analysis of genetic diversity and differentiation of seven stocks of Litopenaeus vannamei using microsatellite markers

Seven microsatellite markers were used to evaluate the genetic diversity and differentiation of seven stocks of Litopenaeus vannamei, which were introduced from Central and South America to China. All seven microsatellite loci were polymorphic, with polymorphism information content(PIC) values ranging from 0.593 to 0.952. Totally 92 alleles were identified, and the number of alleles(Na) and effective alleles(Ne) varied between 4 and 21 and 2.7 and 14.6, respectively. Observed heterozygosity(Ho) values were lower than the expected heterozygosity(He) values(0.526–0.754), which indicated that the seven stocks possessed a rich genetic diversity. Thirty-seven tests were detected for reasonable significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Fis values were positive at five loci, suggesting that there was a relatively high degree of inbreeding within stocks. Pairwise Fst values ranged from 0.0225 to 0.151, and most of the stock pairs were moderately differentiated. Genetic distance and cluster analysis using UPGMA revealed a close genetic relationship of L. vannamei between Pop2 and Pop3. AMOVA indicated that the genetic variation among stocks(11.3%) was much lower than that within stocks(88.7%). Although the seven stocks had a certain degree of genetic differentiation and a rich genetic diversity, there is an increasing risk of decreased performance due to inbreeding in subsequent generations.     

A comparative study of genetic variation between Chinese mitten crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">ericheir sinensis</Emphasis> and Hepu mitten crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. hepuensis</Emphasis>

Horizonal starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the biochemical genetic structure of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis and Hepu mitten crab E. hepuensis. Sixteen putative enzyme-coding loci were examined for forty-nine chinese mitten crabs and thirty-eight Hepu mitten crabs. Nine loci, AAT-1 ^*, AAT-2 ^*, G3PDH ^*, GPI ^*, IDHP-1 ^*, IDHP-2 ^*, MDH-1 ^*, MDH-2 ^* and PGM ^*, are polymorphic in Chinese mitten crab, and seven, AAT-1 ^*, AAT-2 ^*, GPI ^*, IDHP-1 ^*, MDH-1 ^*, MDH-2 ^* and PGM ^*, are polymorphic in Hepu mitten crab. The proportion of polymorphic loci and the expected heterozygosity are 0.562 5 and 0.080 3 for Chinese mitten crab, and 0.437 5 and 0.075 4 for Hepu mitten crab. The Nei’s genetic distance between two species is 0.002 4.     

Genetic differentiation withinEriochoir sinensis (milne, edwards) revealed by allozyme and RAPD

We analyzed 17 allozymes, and 20 primers in order to detect the genetic differentiation between commercial populations (Changjiang River, Liaohe River) ofEriochoir sinensis. Ten allozymes (LDH, MDH, ME, IDH, EST, ALP, AAT, CTL, POD, SOD) showed 21 loci by vertically discontinuos buffer system polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RAPD profiles generated by 12 ten-base primers showed 63 loci. The percentage of polymorphic loci and the expected heterozygosity obtained by using allozyme analysis were lower than those obtained by RAPD. The index of similarity between these two populations were 0.955 and 0.932 as revealed by allozyme analysis and RAPD technology. There was gene flow between the above populations. Contribution No. 4025 from the Institute of Oceanology and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Project 39470141 supported by NSFC. Work also supported by Climbing Program B (PDB 6-5-3) and No. 863 High-technology Program 863-819-01-05.     

Isozyme expression of Chinese and Japanese populations of Chlamys farreri and their reciprocal hybrids

Chinese and Japanese population ofChlamys farreri and their reciprocal hybrids were surveyed in isozyme variability at 13 loci by polyacrytamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Isozyme banding patterns indicated these hybrids were diploid. Loci that were observed as being monomorphic in inbred populations ofC. farreri were also found to be monomorphic in filial progeny; loci that observed to be polymorphic in parental type generations were also polymorphic in hybrid generations. Differences existed among allelic frequency of the four types of cross. Within the reciprocal hybrids the expression of malic enzyme (ME) isozyme was sufficient to distinguishing individual hybrids because of the band, Rf=0.38. However, there were no noticeable variations among all the samples to differentiate one from another. Inbreeding was likely to be the main problem in aquaculture. The introduction of new broodstock can improve the genetic diversity. Hybrid vigor has manifested to a certain extent in the present study. Supported by the National “973” Program (G1999012008) and “863” Program (2002AA626020).     

Genetic analysis of four populations of redlip mullet (Chelon haematocheilus) collected in China seas

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate genetic structures of four populations (Dandong, Rizhao, Ningbo and Guangzhou) of redlip mullet (Chelon haematocheilus). Fourteen loci of ten enzymes (G3PDH, IDHP, LAP, LDH, MDH, MPI, PGDH, PGM, SDH, and SOD) were identified. The proportions of polymorphic loci varied from 0.07 to 0.14. The average observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 and from 0.02 to 0.04 respectively among the 4 populations. The average number of efficient alleles of each locus varied from 1.02 to 1.06. The genetic distance among populations was from 0.0004 to 0.0021. The genetic distances between Dandong, Rizhao and Ningbo populations were small, while those between Guangzhou population and other three populations were relatively high. The result indicated the possible divergence of redlip mullet between the South China Sea and the other sea areas of China due to geographic isolation.     

Mitochondrial DNA control region diversity and population structure of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan

To investigate the genetic variation and population structure of Pacific herring in the Yellow Sea and the genetic differentiation between the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan,fragments of 479-bp mitochondrial DNA control region were sequenced for 110 individuals collected from three different periods in the Yellow Sea and one locality in the Sea of Japan.High haplotype diversity and moderate nucleotide diversity were observed in Pacific herring.AMOVA and exact test of population differentiation showed no significant genetic differentiations among the three populations of the Yellow Sea and suggested the populations can be treated as a single panmictic stock in the Yellow Sea.However,a large and significant genetic differentiation(WST50.11;P50.00) was detected between the populations in the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan.The high sea water temperature in the Tsushima Strait was thought a barrier to block the gene exchange between populations of the two sea areas.The neutrality tests and mismatch distribution indicated recent population expansion in Pacific herring.     

Genetic study of Kelp"901"strain

Based on DNA extraction and optimization of random amplified reaction (RAPD) to the gametophytes and sporophytes of Kelp “901” strain, genetic study on variation was conducted to its parents and offsprings of F₆, F₇, F₈, and F₉ generation. RAPD results have shown that among 30 selected primers for gametophytes, 297 loci ranging from 200 to 3 000 bp were obtained in the average of 9.9 loci for each primer. This indicated a high polymorphic rate with RAPD detection. UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method arithmetic average) analysis showed that each male and female gametophyte of a generation could be clustered into one pair separately. The genetic distances of the Kelp 901 generation were 0.3212–0.4767, and the maximum was between F₇ and F₈ (0.4767). Identity analysis showed that F₆ generation was more close to the female parent (0.6593), and F₇ generation was more close to the male parent (0.578 8). To the sporophytes study in 24 selected primers for RAPD amplification, 191 loci ranging from 230–2800 bp were obtained, in the average to each primer of 8.0 loci. The heterozygosity to six populations were male parent (0.2239), female parent (0.1072), F₆ (0.2164), F₇(0.2286), F₈(0.2296) and F₉(0.3172). The nearest genetic distance was 0.083 5(F₈, F₉). Total heterozygosity (H_T) of F₆, F₇, F₈ and F₉ generations was 0.3186, the average heterozygosity (H_S) for F₆, F₇, F₈ and F₉ generations was 0.2480, and deduced coefficient of population differentiation (G_st) was 22.2%. Six sequence characterized amplified regions (SCAR) were preliminary screened through RAPD analysis. It needed to be verified in detail as they are significant for molecular marker assistance in breeding and selectingLaminaria.     

Genetic analysis of floating Enteromorpha prolifera in the Yellow Sea with AFLP marker

Extremely large accumulation of green algae Enteromorpha prolifera floated along China’coastal region of the Yellow Sea ever since the summer of 2008.Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was applied to assess the genetic diversity and relationships among E. prolifera samples collected from 9 affected areas of the Yellow Sea.Two hundred reproducible fragments were generated with 8 AFLP primer combinations,of which 194 (97%) were polymorphic. The average Nei’s genetic diversity, the coefficiency of genetic differentiation (Gst), and the average gene flow estimated from Gst in the 9 populations were 0.4018, 0.6404 and 0.2807 respectively. Cluster analysis based on the unweighed pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) showed that the genetic relationships within one population or among different populations were all related to their collecting locations and sampling time. Large genetic differentiation was detected among the populations.The E. prolifera originated from different areas and were undergoing a course of mixing.     

近江牡蛎3个种群生化遗传变异的研究

用同工酶电泳方法研究广东省官渡、阳江和汕尾的近江牡蛎(Ostea rivularis)的遗传变异。分析了11种同工酶20个的位点,其中出现13个位点显示为多态。结果表明官渡、阳江、汕尾种群的多态位点比例分别为0.200、0.200、0.500。官渡和阳江种群间,官渡和汕尾种群间以及阳江和汕尾种群间的遗传距离(D)分别为0.0451,0.1125,0.1088。     

Isozyme Analysis on the Populations of Ruditapes philippinarum

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the genetic structure of six populations of Ruditapes philippinarum in the coast of China. Seven enzymes revealed eleven putative loci, and seven of them were polymorphic, PGM^＊, MDH-1^ ＊, MDH-3^＊, LAP-1^＊, LAP-2^＊, MPI-1^＊ and MPI-2^＊. The proportions of polymorphic loci of R. philippinarum populations varied from 0.454 5 to 0.636 4. The values of observed and expected heterozygosities were from 0.039 4 to 0.154 5 and from 0.111 1 to 0.238 5, respectively. Nei＇s genetic distance varied from 0.003 3 to 0.025 3 with an average of 0.013 5. It is suggested that the genetic diversity of R. philippinarum was high.     

Preliminary analysis of population genetic diversity of cultivated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria japonica</Emphasis> sporophyte via AFLP technique

The amplified fragment length polymorphic DNA (AFLP) technique was adopted to estimate the population genetic polymorphism among 30 sporophytes of Laminaria japonica collected from a cultivating farm in Rongcheng, China. Three methods were used for genomic DNA extraction from Laminaria japonica sporophyte and only the products obtained using the improved genomic DNA extraction kit method proved qualified for AFLP analysis. The parameters of the method were optimized. Samples of forty milligrams and the cell lysis time of 120 min were suggested to replace the parameters recommended by the manufacturer. Thirty individuals of Laminaria japonica from the same cultivating site were investigated using one pair of selective primers. A total of 21 loci were obtained and 17 of them were polymorphic. The mean percent age of polymorphic loci of this population was 80.95%. The Nei’s gene diversity (H) within this population was 0.3028 and the average Shannon’s Information index (I) was 0.4498. A genetic distance matrix among different individuals was constructed as well. Through this study, an applicable AFLP genetic analysis working system for Laminaria japonica sporophyte was established. The results of this research also revealed a high level of genetic diversity within the studied population.     

Population genetics of Sargassum horneri (Fucales, Phaeophyta) in China revealed by ISSR and SRAP markers

Sargassum horneri is a common brown macro-alga that is found in the inter-tidal ecosystems of China. To investigate the current status of seaweed resources and provide basic data for its sustainable development, ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat) and SRAP (sequence related amplified polymorphism) markers were used to analyze the population genetics among nine natural populations of S. horneri. The nine studied populations were distributed over 2 000 km from northeast to south China. The percentage of polymorphic loci P% (ISSR, 99.44%; SRAP, 100.00%), Nei’s genetic diversity H (ISSR, 0.107-0.199; SRAP, 0.100-0.153), and Shannon’s information index I (ISSR, 0.157-0.291; SRAP, 0.148-0.219) indicated a fair amount of genetic variability among the nine populations. Moreover, the high degree of gene differentiation G st (ISSR, 0.654; SRAP, 0.718) and low gene flow N m (ISSR, 0.265; SRAP, 0.196) implied that there was significant among-population differentiation, possibly as a result of habitat fragmentation. The matrices of genetic distances and fixation indices (F st ) among the populations correlated well with their geographical distribution (Mantel test R=0.541 5, 0.541 8; P=0.005 0, 0.002 0 and R=0.728 6, 0.641 2; P=0.001 0, 0.001 0, respectively); the Rongcheng population in the Shandong peninsula was the only exception. Overall, the genetic differentiation agreed with the geographic isolation. The fair amount of genetic diversity that was revealed in the S. horneri populations in China indicated that the seaweed resources had not been seriously affected by external factors.