Abstract

The endemic Octopus maya represents one of the most important fisheries in Yucatan peninsula, since mayor octopus catches in Mexico belong to this species. The fishery has been managed as a single unit, but some signs suggest that there could be different units and that the resource could be overexploited. Genetic markers could be the correct instrument to identify populations and define management units due to octopus’s morphologic plasticity. Microsatellites show the mayor intraspecific variation among molecular markers, and have been efficient for population discrimination. This study had two objectives: the isolation of microsatel-lite markers specifically for O. maya; and the evaluation of the population genetic structure and variability using the microsatellites for management optimization. The analysis of eight microsatellites shows no significant differences between localities, and high migration of octopuses between localities in an evolutionary time frame. Considering the principal components analysis of genetic distances, the spatial pattern of genetic variability, and the fact that its reproductive behavior is influenced by temperature, raises the hypothesis about possible migratory patterns delineated by changes in sea temperature over Yucatan’s peninsula along the year. According to Hardy Weinberg equilibrium analysis, two loci showed heterozygote deficiency and Fis was significant suggesting inbreeding at population level, where Dzilam contributing the largest part. Since inbreeding tends to reduce fitness in natural populations, the fishery may not be optimized. In that sense, the genetic monitoring of inbreeding and heterozygosity levels within localities, as well as promoting habitat connectivity are proposed actions to improve management.