Remarkably low mtDNA control-region diversity and shallow population structure in Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus.

To investigate the genetic diversity and describe the population structure in Gadus macrocephalus, a 452 base pair (bp) fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region was analysed in 259 individuals. The results showed remarkably low nucleotide diversity and a lack of genealogical structure. Small but significant genetic differentiations, however, were detected among north-western Pacific populations, but no large-scale regional differences were detected. These results indicate that populations of G. macrocephalus in the north-western Pacific are genetically subdivided and represent evolutionary lineages that should be managed individually.
(© 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.)