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Developmental stability and genetic heterozygosity in wild and cultured stocks of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 June 2001

J. Palma
Affiliation:
CCMar, FCMA, Universidade do Algarve, 8000–810 Faro, Portugal
J.A. Alarcon
Affiliation:
Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, Campus Universitario Teatinos, 29071 Malaga, Spain
C. Alvarez
Affiliation:
Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, Campus Universitario Teatinos, 29071 Malaga, Spain
E. Zouros
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, PO Box 2214, Gr 71003 Iraklion, Greece Department of Biology, University of Crete, PO Box 1470, Gr 71110, Iraklion, Greece
A. Magoulas
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Biology of Crete, PO Box 2214, Gr 71003 Iraklion, Greece
J.P. Andrade
Affiliation:
CCMar, FCMA, Universidade do Algarve, 8000–810 Faro, Portugal

Abstract

The present study checks on the validity of the hypothesis that heterozygosity and the fluctuating asymmetry (FA), common measure of the developmental stability, are linked in populations of wild and cultured stocks of Sparus aurata from five countries. Muscle and liver samples were analysed for variation in 26 allozymes and three microsatellite loci. Pectoral fin rays and upper and lower gill rakers of the first branchial arch were counted on the left and on the right sides of each fish. Fluctuating asymmetry existed in the majority of the samples although their values were consistently low, (0·305±0·147), but higher in the cultured samples. The allozyme heterozygosity values were always high, but lower in the cultured samples. The microsatellite DNA analysis produced similar results. Heterozygosity was higher in cultured individuals (except for the Greek samples). These findings seem to be early evidence that the reared samples are losing some genetic variation, especially due to the loss of the rarest alleles (which were present in the wild populations). Genetic drift, probably caused by propagation practices, is most likely responsible for the decrease of the genetic variation. No distinct pattern of geographic separation was identified.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2001 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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