The global genetic diversity of Seriola lalandi (yellowtail)

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-39)The Yellowtail, Seriola lalandi, one of the most important sport and commercial species off southern California, where it is the largest member of the Jack family (Carangidae). These cosmopolitan fish can be found in subtropical and temperate waters. Seriola lalandi are commercially fished, recreationally fished, and farm raised in the regions they occupy, thus providing an important food source and a sizeable economic impact for the people in these countries. DNA samples were collected from California, the Pacific Coast of Baja California Mexico, the Gulf of California off Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and Chile. A mitochondrial control region DNA analysis was used to determine the population structure and genetic variation between sample localities. Significant structure was observed among populations (?sT = 0.91; P < 0.000001), identifying three distinct genetic lineages of the taxonomic unit referred to as Seriola lalandi occurring in the NW Pacific, NE Pacific and Southern Hemisphere. This is strong evidence that further work should be done to assess the species status of this "cosmopolitan" species. Based on the lack of female gene flow observed in this study (M = 0.019-1.801), five independent stocks of Seriola lalandi should be considered for management and conservation concerns: 1. Japan, 2. California, 3. Mexico, 4. New Zealand and Chile, 5. South Africa. The accurate genetic assessment of population structure is critical to efforts of conservation and successful management for these marine organisms