Genetic composition of Atlantic and Mediterranean recruits of European eel Anguilla anguilla based on EST-linked microsatellite loci

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Pujolar, JM, De Leo, GA, Zane, L., CICCOTTI, ELEONORA
• Other Authors: Pujolar, J, De Leo, G, Ciccotti, E, Zane, L
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: WILEY-BLACKWELL, 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA 2009
• Subjects: arrival wave; genetic patchine; genetic structure; panmixia; Scopus Indexed keywords EMTREE drug terms: microsatellite DNA EMTREE medical terms: allele; animal article; Atlantic Ocean; comparative study; ee. lexpressed sequence; taggene frequency; genetics; genotype; Mediterranean Sea population; genetics population; migration; reproduction; statistical model MeSH: Alleles; Anguilla; Animal Migration; Animals Atlantic Ocean; Expressed Sequence Tags; Gene Frequency; Genotype Mediterranean Sea; Microsatellite Repeats Models; Statistical Reproduction Species Index: Anguilla anguilla; KeyWords Plus:POPULATION-STRUCTURE; NORTH-ATLANTIC; ADAPTIVE DIVERGENCE; SARGASSO SEA; L; SELECTION; TIME; ADAPTATION; HEMISPHERE; Settore BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA; Anguilla anguilla; European eel; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2108/19476; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02267.x

Anguilla anguilla glass eels arriving at two Mediterranean and two Atlantic sites were tested for differences in genetic composition between regions using a total of 23 microsatellite loci developed from an expressed sequence tag (EST) library. Hierarchical analysis of molecular variance indicated a non-significant difference between regions (Mediterranean v. Atlantic), which contrasted with the significant differences observed between samples within regions. The existence of a single spawning site for all A. anguilla individuals and extensive migration loop with great opportunity for mixing of individuals might explain the homogeneity in genetic composition found between regions. The observation of a (small-scale) pattern of genetic patchiness among intra-annual samples (arrival waves) within geographic regions does not conflict with the lack of (large-scale) geographic substructuring found between the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions, but most likely is a consequence of the strong dependence of A. anguilla on oceanic conditions in the Sargasso Sea that might result in a limited parental contribution to each spawning event. The comparison of Atlantic and Mediterranean A. anguilla glass eel recruits based on EST-linked microsatellite loci provides evidence supporting the hypothesis of panmixia A. anguilla across Europe.