Abstract

The queen triggerfish is an economically important Balistid exploited commercially in the Caribbean region for local food markets and the ornamental trade. The species is reported to have declined in several parts of its range yet essential data for its management and conservation such as information on stock structure and demography are still lacking. This work aims to conduct a first assessment of genetic stock structure in the region. Heterologous microsatellite loci developed from gray triggerfish genomic libraries were tested in queen triggerfish. The double-digest Restriction Site Associated DNA (RAD) sequencing method was applied in a survey of genetic variation among six geographic populations including offshore of Jupiter inlet in Southeast Florida, St Croix Island, St Thomas Island, the East and West coasts of Puerto Rico, and La Martinique Island. A total of 3,177 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) loci were examined with sample size per locality averaging 71 individuals (range 48 - 85). Allele frequencies were homogeneous among localities with a possible weak isolation-by-distance pattern suggesting long distance dispersal is occurring, a finding consistent with the extended duration of the pelagic larval phase in this species. On-going work focuses on developing reference genomic resources for this species that will be used to strengthen population genetic inferences.

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