Genetic Structure of Japanese Scallop Population in Hokkaido, Analyzed by Mitochondrial Haplotype Distribution

Abstract

To examine the genetic structure of Japanese scallop populations (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) in Hokkaido prefecture, Japan, and compare it with those in the Aomori prefecture, we applied a method for lineage analysis based on sequence variation in a mitochondrial DNA segment (NcR2). After showing that there was a low probability of doubly uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial DNA in the scallop, we sequenced the NcR2 regions of 914 individuals from 15 populations (13 in Hokkaido and 2 in Aomori). In total, 103 different haplotypes were detected. Results of homogeneity tests for pairwise populations and the fixation indices indicated that significant heterogeneity (P < 0.0005) and structuring (pairwise fixation index F(ST) = 0.1606-0.4444, P = 0.0000; fixation index among groups F(CT) = 0.1549, P = 0.0078) could be inferred between the Hokkaido and Aomori groups, but not among populations within the groups. Moreover, heterogeneity of the haplotype distribution between populations of the 1980s and 1990s or 2000s at the 4 culturing areas was not observed (P > 0.05), and the haplotype diversity between them was not significant (P = 0.05), suggesting that the culture operations had not imparted a significant effect on the genetic structure during these periods.

Genetic population structure of Neptune whelk in northern Japan inferred from microsatellite DNA variation

“…3). This structure is different from the previous observations in marine species around Hokkaido, such as Japanese scallop (Nagashima et al 2003, Sato et al 2005, Japanese sandfish (Yanagimoto 2004), and hair crab (Azuma et al 2007). Clear discrimination of samples from eastern Hokkaido and those from the Sea of Japan was suggested in the study of hair crab (Azuma et al 2007) and the present study, but no other genetic relationships between samples were common in the previous and the present studies.…”

“…For example, levels of geographic differentiation are elevated in species without planktonic larval stage in marine gastropods (Collin 2001, Lee & Bouldings 2009). Hair crab, Erimacrus isenbeckii (Brandt) (Azuma et al 2007) and Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis (Jay) (Nagashima et al 2003), both having inshore planktonic stages for a month or more, show indistinct genetic differentiation. On the other hand, Japanese sand fish, Arctoscopus japonicus (Steindachner), having no or little planktonic larval stage and inert swimming ability in adult form, exhibits distinct genetic structure probably influenced by the gene flow through the sea current-dependent dispersal (Yanagimoto 2004).…”

Strong genetic differentiation among east Atlantic populations of the sword razor shell (Ensis siliqua) assessed with mtDNA and RAPD markers

“…Similarly, the analysis of mitochondrial DNA has been useful in determining the genetic population structure of molluscan species (e.g. Wilding et al 1997;Heipel et al 1999;Kong et al 2003;Luttikhuizen et al 2003;Nagashima et al 2005;Mahidol et al 2007).…”

A C-type lectin fold gene from Japanese scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis, involved with immunity and metamorphosis

“…The Japanese scallop, Mizuhopecten yessoensis, is an economically important bivalve which is distributed widely in the cold seas along the coasts of the northern islands of Japan, the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, Russian Primorye, and the Sakhalin and Kuril Islands (Nagashima et al, 2005). Since its introduction into China in 1982, M. yessoensis has become one of the most favorite commercial species in northern China.…”