Nuclear DNA RFLP variation among Atlantic cod in south and south-east Icelandic waters

The aim of this study was to describe the population structure of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, in Icelandic waters. A total of 404 cod was collected from five locations in Icelandic waters. The samples were analysed for allelic variation at five restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) (GM862, GM860, GM738, GM777 and GM865) loci. Significant differences between sample sites were found at two loci (GM865 and GM777). The results are in line with other recent findings from this area indicating that the cod in south and south-east Icelandic waters do not belong to one panmictic population but may represent two genetically different reproductive stocks of cod.