Comparative Analysis of Genetic Variability of White Sea Cod (Gadus morhua marisalbi) at Allozyme and Microsatellite Markers

Variability of cod spawning and feeding schools from Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea, was examined at six allozyme and eight microsatellite loci. The degree of genetic differentiation at allozyme loci constituted θ = 0.36% [95% bootstrap interval 0.0458; 0.6743]. The differentiation estimates obtained using microsatellite markers were higher, θ = 1.33% [0.057; 3.11]. It was demonstrated that the level of genetic diversity in the White Sea cod was lower than that established for the Atlantic cod from Barents Sea using the same set of allozyme and microsatellite markers. The genetic data obtained support the opinion that the White Sea cod is a reproductively independent group formed as a result of the Holocene dispersal of Atlantic cod.