Genetic diversity and connectivity in Spiny lobster Panulirus versicolor in Bird’s Head Seascape, Papua-Indonesia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of genetic variability and connectivity that exist between three natural populations of P. versicolor from the Bird’s Head Seascape, Papua-Indonesia. Adult specimens of P. versicolor were collected from localities distributed in Bird’s Head Seascape, Papua: Raja Ampat, Fakfak, Manokwari, Biak, Numamuran, Wasior, and Nabire. A small number of samples were included from Moluccas and Bali for broader regional comparisons. In total, 130 nucleotide sequences were analyzed from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (COI) gene. A total of 187 polymorphic sites were determined and 37 haplotypes were defined (9 haplotypes out of BHS; 35 haplotypes in BHS). There are 22 individuals had a unique haplotype and 16 individuals was common haplotype. Intra-population haplotype (h) and nucleotide (π) diversities were high for each locality, ranging h = 0.60-1.00 and π = 0.002-0.121. High levels of haplotype diversity (h = 0.9921) was detected in BHS (Manokwari and Kokas), indicating a high level of genetic diversity. Low level (0.6) of haplotype diversity was detected out of BHS (Bali). The results of AMOVA analysis indicated that 100.64% of the genetic variation contained within populations and -0.64% occurred among populations. Fst value was suggested that no significant different between two populations. Tests of neutral evolution (Tajima’s D) and analysis of mismatch distribution (SSD) suggested that P. versicolor might have undergone a population expansion in the Indonesian Ocean. The knowledge on genetic diversity and genetic structure will be crucial to establish appropriate fishery management stocks for the species. A mismatch distribution of pairwise differences between haplotypes indicated that P. versicolor does not fit the sudden population expansion model. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) shows a clear genetic difference between two regions (western/central Pacific and eastern Pacific). High gene flow was found within localities in the western/central Pacific region, probably resulting from an extended planktonic larval stage and prevailing ocean currents. In this study we detected genetic structure between eastern Pacific populations and western Pacific populations, indicating that despite the nearly 1-yr larval period for this species, larvae generally do not pass over the East Pacific Barrier.