Population structure of pink ling (Genypterus blacodes) from south-eastern Australian waters, inferred from allozyme and microsatellite analyses

Abstract

Thirty eight allozyme loci were examined in orange and pink morphs of pink ling (Genypterus blacodes) and in rock ling (G. tigerinus). Six of the loci were species-diagnostic. No differences were observed between the orange and pink morphs, which appear to be the juvenile and adult forms respectively of pink ling. The pink ling forms an important component of Australia’s South-East Fishery and is managed as a single stock. Three polymorphic allozyme loci (average heterozygosity 0.324) and nine polymorphic microsatellite loci (average heterozygosity 0.823) were examined in collections of pink ling from five regions of the fishery. Estimates of the extent of population subdivision were effectively zero (F _ST values per locus ranging from 0.0052 to –0.0065, P values non-significant), and the null hypothesis of a single pink ling stock in the South East Fishery could not be rejected.