Fisheries Research Articles

Complex patterns of population structure and recruitment of Plectropomus leopardus (Pisces: Epinephelidae) in the Indo-West Pacific: implications for fisheries management

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-16-2009

Journal Title

Marine Biology

ISSN

Print: 0025-3162 Electronic: 1432-1793

Keywords

Gene flow, Last glacial maximum, Great Barrier Reef, East Australian current, Coral trout

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Genetics | Genomics | Marine Biology | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Population Biology | Sustainability

Abstract

Here the population genetic structure of an ecologically and economically important coral reef fish, the coral trout Plectropomus leopardus, is investigated in the context of contemporary and historical events. Coral trout were sampled from four regions (six locations) and partial mtDNA D-loop sequences identified six populations (Fst = 0.89209, P < 0.0001): Scott Reef and the Abrolhos Islands in west Australia; the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), represented by northern and southern GBR samples; New Caledonia and Taiwan, with Taiwan containing two genetic lineages. Furthermore, this study identified source and sink populations within and among regions. Specifically, the northern population in west Australia (Scott Reef) was identified, as the source for replenishment of the Abrolhos population, whilst New Caledonia was a source for recruitment to the GBR. Based on these insights from a single mtDNA marker, this study will facilitate the development of rational management plans for the conservation of P. leopardus populations and therefore mitigate the risk of population declines from anthropogenic influences.

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Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-009-1195-0