Volume 55
Studies in Conservation Genetics of Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) – IV. Population Structure among Gulf of Mexico Collection Sites Inferred from Variation in Restriction Site Polymorphisms of Tarpon Mitochondrial DNA
Authors
Ward, R.; Blandon, I.R.; García de León, F.J.; Landry, A.M.; Dailey, W.; Acuña Leal, C.D. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: 2004
Pages: 373-383
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Fifth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Xel Ha
Country: Mexico
Abstract
Tarpon once supported valuable recreational fisheries in Texas waters. Beginning in the late 1940s catch rates began to decline, leading to reductions in tarpon-related activities including abandonment of lucrative toumaments. Desires to restore these valuable fisheries in Texas waters have prompted proposals for management interventions, including culture and stocking of hatchery-reared tarpon. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Coastal Fisheries Division policies require examinations of the genetic consequences of enhancement programs prior to implementation of any stockings. In order to determine stock structure andestimate gene flow in the Gulf of Mexico, tarpon were collected from sites distributed between .the Bay of Campeche in the southem Gulf and the Florida Keys in the eastem Gulf. Fourmitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction. Each fragment was then digested with a suite of restriction enzymes and the resulting fragment pattenis (RFLPs) were analyzed to infer population structure and gene flow.