Population structure of the squid Doryteuthis pealeii on the eastern coast of the USA: Comment on Shaw et al. (2010)

Abstract

A recent article by Shaw et al. (2010; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 408:117-127) reported no genetic differences among Doryteuthis pealeii samples collected along the eastern coast of the USA, whereas Buresch et al. (2006; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 310:263-270) reported 5 discrete populations in this same sampling area. Here we address the 3 possible reasons given by Shaw et al. (2010) for the discrepancy between their and our results, and provide results from additional analyses to support our arguments. D. pealeii is an important commercial species and a better understanding of its population structure is necessary before considering it as a single population for management purposes. © Inter-Research 2012.