Integrated analyses of SNP-genotype and environmental data in a continuously distributed snapper species (Lutjanus johnii, Bloch, 1792) reveals a mosaic of populations and a challenge for sustainable management

Authors

Laura Taillebois, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory
Danielle Davenport, The University of Queensland
Diane P. Barton, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory
David Alexander Cook, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory
Thor Saunders, Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Mark Hearnden, Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Richard J. Saunders, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
Stephen J. Newman, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Michael J. Travers, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2021

Journal Title

ICES Journal of Marine Science

ISSN

Print: 1054-3139 Electronic: 1095-9289

Keywords

fisheries management, IMCRA bioregions, microsatellite loci, otolith chemistry, parasite abundance, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Western Australia

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology

Abstract

Understanding population structure is important for predicting the outcomes of anthropogenic development, harvest, and environmental change on the abundance of fisheries species. Logically, the use of several data sources is best for delineating population structure, but combining across data types adds extra challenges as results can be incongruent. Here, genetic and environmental markers were used to test hypotheses about population structure in a collection of 523 tropical inshore finfish (Lutjanus johnii) across northern Australia from 20 locations. Redundancy analyses (RDA) were used to statistically test for correlations among data sources providing a basis for reconciliation and insights into ecological and evolutionary processes. Genomic data (10349 SNP loci) revealed low, but significant genetic divergence (max FST 0.0402) between 16 locations. A total of 12 putative contiguous biological stocks were proposed whose distributions were correlated with IMCRA bioregions but not to existing regions used for management of the fishery. RDA showed a significant correlation between environmental markers (otolith chemistry and parasite abundances) and SNP genotype in two of three region-wide analyses supporting the proposed stock structure, and suggesting that L. johnii may be locally adapted to the heterogeneous environment. These findings are significant for the conservation of the commercially and recreationally important L. johnii and can be used to guide future fisheries management actions.

Recommended Citation

Laura Taillebois, Danielle Davenport, Diane P Barton, David A Crook, Thor Saunders, Mark Hearnden, Richard J Saunders, Stephen J Newman, Michael J Travers, Christine L Dudgeon, Safia L Maher, Jennifer R Ovenden, Integrated analyses of SNP-genotype and environmental data in a continuously distributed snapper species (Lutjanus johnii, Bloch, 1792) reveals a mosaic of populations and a challenge for sustainable management, ICES Journal of Marine Science, Volume 78, Issue 9, November 2021, Pages 3212–3229, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsab187