Defining genetic population structure and historical connectivity of snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio)

Abstract

The snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) is a valuable commercial resource within the Bering Sea, as well as other areas in the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Large populations are known to exist within the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, including recently discovered commercial sized individuals (Beaufort). However, genetic connectivity throughout these regions has not been examined until now. Based on seven polymorphic microsatellite loci, relatively low population genetic structuring occurs throughout the Alaskan region (Gst = 0.001). This homogeneity is likely due to long-distance larval dispersal, adult migrations, and a possible recent population expansion following the last glacial maximum. Furthermore, meta-population analysis was conducted for Alaskan and Northwest Atlantic stocks. Although significant genetic divergence characterizes the West Greenland stock in relation to all other populations, low divergence (Gst = 0.005) was found between Atlantic Canada crabs and those from the Alaska region. Larval dispersal between regions is highly unlikely due to the transit distance. Therefore, low divergence is likely the result of a recent population expansion into the Northwest Atlantic <5000 years ago.