Molecular population genetic analysis of Eriocheir japonica inhabiting Andeok Valley

Abstract

Eriocheir japonica inhabits rivers flowing into the East Sea, South Sea, and the coastal waters of Jeju-do in South Korea, Japan, and Sakhalin. The larvae migrate to freshwater, mature, and move to estuaries to spawn. Jeju-do has habitats that prevent the migration of aquatic organisms. Populations with low within-group genetic diversity experience increased extinction risk. Industrialization causes climate change and also creates species extinctions. The goal of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of E. japonica inhabiting Andeok Valley to elucidate their genetic stability and encourage future conservation plans. E. japonica samples used for the study were from the Andeok Valley in South Korea. One walking leg was used for DNA extraction. DNA was amplified using polymerase chain reaction to sequence mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and cytochrome b (CytB) genes. Haplotype and sequence diversity analyses were performed. Sequencing results for CO1 and CytB genes included 658 and 651 base pairs, respectively. The median network analysis showed that the population inhabiting Andeok Valley had a genetically simple phylogenetic structure. This region provides simple habitat conditions, preventing gene transfer. The probability of extinction of E. japonica that inhabits Andeok Valley is markedly high.

Keywords

• genetic diversity
• haplotype
• mitten crab
• mitochondria
• population analysis