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Contrasting levels of genetic differentiation among putative neutral microsatellite loci in Atlantic herring Clupea harengus populations and the implications for assessing stock structure

  • CHALLENGES TO MARINE ECOSYSTEMS
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Abstract

Microsatellite DNA loci, when used in population genetic studies, are usually assumed to be neutral (unaffected by natural selection, either directly or as a result of tight linkage), but this assumption is rarely tested. Here, the assumption of neutrality is examined using established methods, principally that based on the expected relationship between F ST and heterozygosity, at 12 putative neutral microsatellite loci utilised in a study of Atlantic herring Clupea harengus in the north east Atlantic (west of Great Britain and around Ireland) and in the Baltic Sea. All but two of these loci demonstrate relationships that suggest that they may be regarded as neutral genetic markers. Of the other two loci, however, one shows a relationship suggestive of the action of directional selection and the other of balancing natural selection, though other locus-specific effects may operate. Thus, the latter two loci may provide inaccurate inference if used in phylogeographic studies and also demonstrate the danger of assuming neutrality at all microsatellite loci without explicit testing. However, such loci, particularly those affected by directional as opposed to balancing selection, may be of great use in stock discrimination studies, and selected loci in general, have considerably potential in studies of adaptation.

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Acknowledgements

The westher project would not have been possible without a huge sampling and coordination effort that involved many people: we are grateful to the crews of FRS Scotia, RV Roagan, RV Lough Foyle, RV Celtic Voyager and the various commercial fishing vessels that provided access to samples. Also, we thank J. Boyd, N. Campbell, J. Chubb, C. Collins, M. A. Cross, C. O. Cunningham, A. J. Geffen, F. Gell, S. Jansen, C. Kelly, K. MacKenzie, J. Schlickeisen, P.-J. Schön, D. Wolfenden, C. Zimmermann and A. Zuur for collecting samples and informative discussions. M. Burt kindly provided the samples from Hudson Canyon. Funding was provided by the EU 5th Framework RTD contract QLRT-2001-01056.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine and Freshwater Biology Research Group, The Biosciences Building, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK

    Phillip C. Watts & Suzanne M. Kay

  2. Department of Zoology, Ecology & Plant Science, Aquaculture & Fisheries Development Centre, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland

    David O’Leary, Mary C. Cross, Jamie Coughlan, Eileen Dillane, Suzanne Wylde & Thomas F. Cross

  3. University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK

    René Stet

  4. Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 1870, Nordnes, 5817, Bergen, Norway

    Richard D. M. Nash

  5. FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK

    Emma M. C. Hatfield

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  1. Phillip C. Watts
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  2. David O’Leary
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  3. Mary C. Cross
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  4. Jamie Coughlan
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  11. Thomas F. Cross
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Correspondence to Phillip C. Watts.

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Guest editors: J. Davenport, G. Burnell, T. Cross, M. Emmerson, R. McAllen, R. Ramsay & E. Rogan

Challenges to Marine Ecosystems

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Watts, P.C., O’Leary, D., Cross, M.C. et al. Contrasting levels of genetic differentiation among putative neutral microsatellite loci in Atlantic herring Clupea harengus populations and the implications for assessing stock structure. Hydrobiologia 606, 27–33 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9350-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9350-z

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