Genetic diversity and population structure of Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst, 1783) revealed by mtDNA COI sequences

Abstract

In this paper, population genetic diversity and genetic structure of Portunus sanguinolentus distributed along China coast was investigated based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Sixty-eight haplotypes and 71 polymorphic sites were detected in 110 individuals sampled from four localities. The average haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) were 0.9576 and 0.0051, respectively. Pairwise F_ST statistics among different localities were negative or low and insignificant, suggesting a widespread gene flow. The AMOVA analysis also indicated a broad genetic exchange among four localities (F_ST= −0.0039, p = 0.559). The high dispersal capabilities of larvae of P. sanguinolentus coupled with the limited physical barriers in marine environment may be responsible for the high gene flow among P. sanguinolentus populations along southeastern coast of China. Moreover, neutrality test and mismatch analysis implied that P. sanguinolentus population might have undergone a rapid population expansion event. The time of population expansion was estimated to occur about 229,000–321,000 years ago.

Keywords:

• Genetic differentiation
• genetic diversity
• P. sanguinolentus
• population expansion

Disclosure statement

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article. This work was financially supported by the National Program for Support of Top-notch Young Professionals, and the National Science & Technology Support Plan (2013BAD13B04).