Abstract

The genetic structure of 4 populations of white croaker Pennahia argentata was analyzed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technology. A total of 304 putative loci were detected by the 5 primer combinations, of which 200 were polymorphic. The proportion of polymorphic loci among four populations varied from 47.13 to 57.63%. The population with the highest Nei’s genetic diversity and Shannon diversity index was Ariake Sea population, the lowest Nei’s genetic diversity and Shannon diversity index was found in Ise Bay population. Two geographic clades (Chinese clade and Japanese clade) were detected among 70 individuals of white croaker by AFLP markers; molecular variance analysis and pairwise F_ST also supported the separation of Chinese and Japanese populations ofP. argentata. The Pleistocene isolation and biological characteristics of species may be responsible for the genetic differentiation of P. argentata between China and Japan coastal waters. Our result also revealed that white croaker might choose the retention larval strategy within coastal waters to minimize the offshore dispersal.

Key words: White croaker, Pennahia argentata, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), genetic structure.