Comparative genetic variability between broodstock and offspring populations of Korean starry flounder used for stock enhancement in a hatchery by using microsatellite DNA analyses.

Korean starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus (Pleuronectidae), is one of the most economically important fishery resources in Korea. We investigated the effect of current artificial reproduction in a hatchery facility, genetic divergence between the broodstock and their offspring populations of starry flounder in a hatchery strain to be stocked into natural sea areas was accessed using 9 polymorphic nuclear microsatellite DNA loci. High levels of polymorphism were observed between the 2 populations. A total of 96 alleles were detected at the loci, with some alleles being unique in the broodstock. Allelic variability ranged from 8 to 17 in the broodstock and from 7 to 12 in the offspring population. Average observed and expected heterozygosities were estimated at 0.565 and 0.741 in the broodstock samples and 0.629 and 0.698 in the offspring population, respectively. Although no statistically significant reductions were found in heterozygosity or allelic diversity in the offspring population, a considerable loss of rare alleles was observed in the offspring population compared with that in the broodstock. Significant genetic difference was detected between the broodstock and offspring populations (FST = 0.021, P < 0.05). These results suggest that more intensive breeding practices for stock enhancement might have resulted in a further decrease of genetic diversity. Thus, genetic variations of broodstock and progeny should ideally be monitored in both breeding and release programs as a routine hatchery operation in order to improve the starry flounder hatchery management. This information might be useful for fishery management and aquaculture industry of P. stellatus.