Abstract

Estimating genetic diversity and population structure with polymorphic markers might provide information for the better management of fish that have economic importance. We used the Chilean jack mackerel, Trachurus murphyi, a pelagic species distributed in the south Pacific Ocean, to test the population genetic structure across its distribution. A total of 522 samples were collected from 11 locations in 2008, to be analyzed using six loci microsatellites. We conducted traditional genetic analyses to describe the genetic diversity of T. murphyi and whether it shows spatial genetic structure. The results showed a high genetic diversity across locations (Ho = 0.551 to 0.980; He = 0.676 to 0.959). Estimates for the population structure showed a low and non-significant pairwise F-ST in all comparisons. We supported the non-genetic differentiation previously reported with the used microsatellite panel. Further comparative temporal studies should be conducted to identify the stability of this pattern. Overall, this study reinforces the hypothesis that, in the Pacific Ocean, Chilean jack mackerel correspond to a large single population.