Genetic Variation of 17 Wild Yellow Perch Populations from the Midwest and East Coast Analyzed via Microsatellites

Abstract

We used microsatellite loci, including seven newly developed by us, to analyze the population genetic structure of wild yellow perch Perca flavescens from 17 sampling areas in the upper Midwest and East Coast of the United States. Our results reveal greater genetic differentiation and finer-scale geographic structure than were found in previous studies of yellow perch population structure. These findings show pronounced genetic divergence between Midwest and East Coast samples. Additional genetic partitioning was noted between Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound populations, between inland lakes in the upper Mississippi River system, and among sites in Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario. Further, the structuring of yellow perch populations within the Chesapeake Bay may be significantly influenced by salinity. These findings are being used to help delineate wild populations for the development of captive yellow perch broodstocks for the aquaculture industry.