High genetic diversity and lack of pronounced population structure in five species of sympatric Pacific eels

Gubili, C; Schabetsberger, R; Poellabauer, C; Bates, B; Wagstaff, RM; Woodward, L; Sichrowsky, U; Scheck, A; Boseto, DT; Feunteun, E; Acou, A; Jehle, R

Abstract

Understanding the population structure of tropical anguillids residing in the Pacific is
vital for their conservation management. Here, the population genetic structure of
five sympatric freshwater eels (Anguilla marmorata Quoy & Gaimard, A. megastoma
Kaup, A. obscura Steindachner, A. reinhardtii Günther and A. australis Richardson)
across 11 western South Pacific (WSP) islands was investigated based on partial nucleotide
sequences of the mtDNA control region and the nuclear GTH2b genes of
288 newly collected samples jointly with existing sequences. WSP anguillids are
characterised by overall high levels of genetic diversity. Both mtDNA and nuclear
sequences provided no evidence for distinct geographic clines or barriers in any of
the species across the WSP. The occurrence of admixed individuals between A. marmorata
and A. megastoma was confirmed, and a new possible occurrence of a further
species was revealed (A. interioris Whitley on Bougainville Island). All species showed
evidence for demographic population growth in the Pleistocene, and a subsequent
population reduction for A. megastoma. Common spawning grounds and mixing of
larvae by ocean currents could promote the lack of pronounced isolation by distance,
a finding that has significant implications for the future management of anguillids in
the area.

Citation

Gubili, C., Schabetsberger, R., Poellabauer, C., Bates, B., Wagstaff, R., Woodward, L., …Jehle, R. (2018). High genetic diversity and lack of pronounced population structure in five species of sympatric Pacific eels. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 26(1), 31-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12287

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 28, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Jun 21, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 21, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jun 26, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 21, 2019
• Journal: Fisheries Management & Ecology
• Print ISSN: 0969-997X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 31-41
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12287
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12287
• Related Public URLs: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652400
• Additional Information: Grant Number: ELRB19