Genetic stock structure of the swordfish (Xiphias gladius) inferred by PCR-RFLP analysis of the mitochondrial DNA control region

S. Chow*, H. Okamoto, Y. Uozumi, Y. Takeuchi, H. Takeyama

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

73 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed on PCR amplified DNA fragments containing the control region of the swordfish (Xiphias gladius Linnaeus, 1758) mitochondrial DNA. A total of 456 individuals comprising 13 local samples (six Pacific, three Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, two Indian Ocean and the Cape of Good Hope) were surveyed with four endonucleases (Alu I, Dde I, Hha I and Rsa I), yielding a total of 52 composite genotypes. Within-sample genotypic diversity (H) was high ranging from 0.702 to 0.962 with a value of 0.922 for the pooled sample. Significant geographic variation in the frequencies of genotypes and restriction patterns was revealed. The Mediterranean sample was highly distinct from all other samples. Further, Rsa I digestion revealed high levels of polymorphism in all but the Mediterranean samples, indicating that exogenous swordfishes rarely enter that body of water. Heterogeneity between the North and South Atlantic samples was significant, both of which differed from those of the Pacific. In contrast, the Indian Ocean samples were not significantly different from the samples of South Atlantic and Pacific. Genetic differentiation among the Pacific samples was low. The results indicate that the world-wide swordfish population is genetically structured not only among, but also within ocean basins and suggest that gene flow is restricted despite the absence of geographic barriers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)359-367
Number of pages9
JournalMarine Biology
Volume127
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1997 Feb
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Aquatic Science
  • Ecology

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