Genetic differentiation among populations of New Zealand common smelt, Retropinna retropinna (Richardson), from the Waikato basin

Abstract

Electrophoretic analyses of four polymorphic enzyme loci in diadromous and lacustrine smelt (Retropinna retropinna) from the Waikato basin showed genetic differences among and within populations. There was a significant difference between spring and autumn samples from both the Waikato River and Lake Whangape. The identification of genetically distinct populations has implications for management and conservation.

Keywords:

• Retropinna retropinna
• electrophoresis
• genetic variation
• smelt