Genetic divergence of kingfish from Japan, Australia and New Zealand inferred by microsatellite DNA and mitochondrial DNA control region markers

Abstract

Genetic polymorphism in kingfish, collected from coastal waters of Japan, Australia and New Zealand, were examined using microsatellite (MS) DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region markers. Sixteen to 25.7 alleles per locus were observed in three MS markers, while the average observed (and expected) heterozygosities were 0.782 (0.918), 0.750 (0.809) and 0.650 (0.888) for Australian, Japanese and New Zealand kingfish, respectively. Twelve mtDNA haplotypes were detected by the digestion of control region sequences with five endonucleases: Haelll, Hinfl Mbol Rsal and Taql. Significant genetic divergence was observed between the kingfish population from Japan and those from Australia-New Zealand. There was no significant differentiation among the Australian and New Zealand population samples.