Genetic population structure of the Hokkai shrimp Pandalus latirostris Rathbun, 1902 (Decapoda: Caridea: Pandalidae) from Zostera seagrass beds in Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

We investigated the genetic structure of six populations of Pandalus latirostrisRathbun, 1902inhabiting seagrass beds along the coast of eastern Hokkaido, Japan, using two molecular markers: a partial sequence of the mitochondrial DNA control region (CR), and the length polymorphism in seven microsatellite loci in the nuclear genome. Both markers revealed significant genetic differentiation between local populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) suggested a hierarchical population structure consisting of regional population groups in the study area. Genetic and spatial distances correlated significantly (P = 0.048) when CR sequences were used but did not correlate (P = 0.26) when microsatellite markers were used. These results show that local populations of P. latirostris are genetically different, although the level of difference was low and did not completely correlate to the geographic distance. Gene flow between local populations was probably restricted, mainly due to particular features of this species, such as the absence of planktonic larval stages and the fact that it lives exclusively in patchy seagrass beds. Our results provide basic information of population genetics in this species, which is important for its conservation and management.