Genetic subdivison of stocks of Snapper, Chrysophrys unicolor, in Shark Bay, Western Australia

Abstract

Variation of allozymes in C. unicolor from Shark Bay was examined as a test for subdivision of the stocks. Samples from the three major areas of the bay (outer bay, and eastern and western gulfs) were genetically differentiated from each other, showing different allelic frequencies at three of the four polymorphic loci studied. The observed genetic differences support the view that snapper from different areas of Shark Bay represent separate breeding populations.