Population Genetic Structure of Tunas Inferred from Molecular Markers: A Review

Abstract

In this study, we have reviewed the population genetic structure of eleven tuna species (albacore, bigeye, yellowfin, Pacific bluefin, Atlantic bluefin, southern bluefin, blackfin, longtail, skipjack, frigate, and little tuna) with a global perspective. Based on the studies using molecular markers, there are 50 genetically distinct populations of tuna species worldwide (12 albacore, 4 bigeye, 9 yellowfin, 4 bluefin, 2 blackfin, 2 longtail, 12 skipjack, 2 little tuna, and 3 frigate tuna). It is evident that some tunas (albacore, bigeye, yellowfin, bluefin, and skipjack) have got more attention of researchers than the others (longtail tuna, blackfin tuna, little tuna, and frigate tuna), possibly because of their higher commercial importance. So, the larger number of studies on some species of tuna might be the reason for the higher number of population structure observed. Also, relying on the results of a single molecular marker, which were used in some studies, may produce misleading conclusions. Therefore, complementary sets of markers should be used in assessing population structure. Still, the number of to date revealed genetically distinct populations in some tunas species (albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack) is higher than number of stocks managed by authorities grouped in tuna regional fisheries management organizations. It might be a signal for reevaluation of fishery management of such tunas.

Keywords:

• genetic stock
• fisheries management
• PCR-RFLP
• NGS
• microsatellites
• mtDNA
• allozymes

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS), Czech Republic, from projects CENAKVA (CZ.1.05/2.1.00/01.0024), CENAKVA II (LO1205 under NPU I program), and project no. CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0006.