Genetic variation was investigated in ¢ve subtidal locations from the north of San Mat|¤ as Gulf (42823 0 S) to the north of San Jorge Gulf (45802 0 S). Fifteen loci were studied by means of vertical starch gel electrophoresis; ten loci were polymorphic. The percentages of polymorphic loci (P 0.99 and P 0.95 criteria) varied between 40% and 53.33% and between 33.33% and 46.67%, respectively. Expected mean heterozygosity per locus (He) ranged from 0.128 (Bajo Oliveira-El So¤ tano) to 0.160 (Puerto Madryn); this range is similar to those observed for other scallop species. All the loci were in Hardy^Weinberg equilibrium. The estimated genetic distances among populations were signi¢cantly lower than those reported for comparisons between populations of di¡erent pectinid species, suggesting that the ¢ve populations studied belong to the same species (Aequipecten tehuelchus). The absence of exclusive ¢xed alleles also supported that assumption. The results obtained suggest: (i) assignment of species or subspecies status to some morphological variants of the shells, like the 'madrynensis' form is not supported; (ii) the commercially exploited Tehuelche scallop from San Mat|¤ as and San Jose¤ Gulfs should be managed as distinct stocks.
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