Plasma transferrin polymorphisms in scad (Trachurus trachurus l.) populations from the north-east atlantic

Abstract

Starch gel electrophoresis of plasma transferrin phenotypes from 710 scad caught on four research vessel cruises in the North Sea, Celtic Sea, Bay of Biscay, and off the Portuguese coast was carried out in an attempt to assess the genetic identity of populations of this species in the north-east Atlantic. Four allelic variants are described, although three of these proved to be only rare alleles, and no significant heterogeneity in the populations from a]] four areas was identified These results are discussed in relation to previous analyses of genetic polymorphisms in scad populations in this area. We conclude that, at present, the genetic evidence provides no support for the existence of genetically distinct stocks of scad in the north-east Atlantic. © 1993 Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer.