Differential population structuring of two closely related fish species, the mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), in the Mediterranean Sea

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2004.02198.x
• Publication Date: 2004-12-27T20:22:42Z
• Authors: R. ZARDOYA; R. CASTILHO; C. GRANDE; L. FAVRE‐KREY; S. CAETANO; S. MARCATO; G. KREY; T. PATARNELLO
• Keywords: Scomber; mtDNA control region

Abstract Population genetic structures of the mackerel (Scomber scombrus ) and chub ( Scomber japonicus were studied in Mediterranean Sea. Fragments 272 bp S. scomber 387 5′‐end mitochondrial control region sequenced from spawning individuals collected off coasts Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal. High levels haplotypic diversity (> 0.98) found for both species. Nucleotide was higher (0.022) than (0.017). Global F ST values also significant (0.024, P < 0.0001) as opposed to (0.003, > 0.05). Molecular variance analyses showed differential structuring these two closely related There is extensive gene flow between Sea Atlantic Ocean populations mackerel, which are organized into a larger panmictic unit. In contrast, show some degree differentiation structured along an east–west axis. The analysed eastern (Greece, Italy) clearly separated that western (Barcelona), forms unit with populations. species asymmetric migration patterns indicated population expansion.