High genetic connectivity of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) from the South China, Bali and Java Seas

AbstractGenetic connectivity of narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) from the South China, Bali and Java Seas was investigated using mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences. The nucleotide and haplotype diversities estimated among the gene sequences ranged 0.012–0.014 and 0.83–0.92, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis (Maximum Likelihood) of gene sequences indicated that the individuals sampled belong to a single taxonomic clade. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and FST values revealed non-significant variation among populations. Both Tajima’s D and Fu’s FS statistics were non-significant indicating an effective large and stable population size. The results suggested that the S. commerson population has strong genetic connectivity in the study regions. In addition, mismatch distribution analyses and tests of neutrality evolution indicated that S. commerson populations had not undergone significant sudden population expansion recently. Hence, the current study suggests t...