Genetic diversity of eight wild populations of Pampus argenteus along the coast of China inferred from fifteen polymorphic microsatellite markersPampus argenteus (Perciformes: Stromateidae) is widely distributed along the coast of China, Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf and North Sea. Due to overfishing and environmental degradation, its resources reduced year after year. Thus, new management strategies are urgently needed for the sustainable growth and utilization of this species. Characterization of the genetic variation of this fish species is essential for conserving the genetic resource and restraining the population decline. Therefore, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the intraspecific genetic diversity and population structure of the species. In this study, we assess the genetic diversity and population structure of P. argenteus by using microsatellites. We genotyped 240 P. argenteus individuals from eight wild populations collected from Shidao (SD), Lianyungang (LYG), Lvsi (LS), Zhoushan (ZS), Dongtou (DT), Xiapu (XP), Haikou (HK), and Beibuwan (BBW) along the coast of China using fifteen polymorphic microsatellites. A total of 139 alleles were determined at 15 loci across the eight populations, and a relatively high level of genetic diversity was observed, with observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) ranging from 0.100 to 1.000, and from 0.669 to 0.934 per locus-location combination, respectively. LS had the highest average allele (number of alleles, A=15.200), and HK the lowest (A=13.000). Hos of P. argenteus are less than Hes, indicating lack of heterozygote within populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that most variation (95.66%) occurred within populations, suggesting that this is the main source of total variance. This study will provide useful information for conservation and sustainable exploitation of this important fishery resource.

Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is one of the most important economic fishes around the world. In the present study, we determined the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence and organization of T. albacares. The entire mitochondrial genome is a circular-molecule of 16,528 bp in length, which encodes 37 genes in all. These genes comprise 13 protein-coding genes (ATP6 and 8, COI-III, Cytb, ND1-6 and 4 L), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNA genes (12S and 16S rRNAs). The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of T. albacares can provide basic information for the studies on molecular taxonomy and conservation genetics of teleost fishes.

Thunnus alalunga is an excellent food fish and is of great importance in recreational fisheries. In the study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of T. alalunga is sequenced and annotated, which is a circular DNA molecule with 16,527 bp in length. The overall nucleotide base composition of T. alalunga mitogenome is as follows: A, 28.37%; G, 16.69%; T, 25.46%; and C, 29.49%, with the A+T content of 53.83%, showing an obvious anti-G bias. The entire mitogenome encodes 37 genes in all, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (ATP6 and ATP8, COI-III, Cytb, ND1-6 and 4L), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and two ribosomal RNA genes (12S and 16S rRNAs). The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of T. alalunga can provide useful information for the studies on molecular systematics, stock evaluation, and conservation genetics of teleost fishes.

In this study, we sequenced and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of Pampus argenteus (Perciformes: Stromateidae). The mitogenome is 17,098 bp in length, which contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 23 tRNA genes and 2 non-coding regions: origin of light-strand replication (OL) and control region (D-loop). The overall nucleotide base composition of P. argenteus mtDNA is A 30.35%, C 25.55%, G 15.28% and T 28.82%, with an A + T content of 59.17%. Except for ND6 gene and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes were encoded on the heavy strand. The mitochondrial genome of P. argenteus may be helpful to the studies on conservation genetics and stock evaluation of P. argenteus resource, as well as molecular phylogeny and species identification of Stromateidae.

ABSTRACT. Twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for Liza affinis using a (GT)13-enriched genomic library. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 9, with a mean number of 6.250. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.417 to 1.000 and from 0.550 to 0.861, with an average of 0.859 and 0.779, respectively. Deviation from Hardy-Weinberg proportions was detected at three loci. Evidence of null alleles was found at two loci. These markers will be useful in further studies investigating the genetic variation and population structure of this species, and may provide insights into the maintenance and efficient management of eastern keelback mullet resources.

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Pampus chinensis (Perciformes: Stromateidae) was determined. The mitogenome is 16,535 bp in length, which contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 2 non-coding regions: origin of light-strand replication (OL) and control region (D-loop). The overall mtDNA nucleotide base composition of P. chinensis is A 29.72%, C 28.10%, G 15.34%, and T 26.84%, with an A + T content of 56.56%. Except for ND6 gene and eight tRNA genes, all other mitochondrial genes were encoded on the heavy strand. The mitochondrial genome of P. chinensis may be helpful to the studies on stock evaluation and conservation genetics of P. chinensis resource, as well as molecular phylogeny of Stromateidae.