Genetic diversity and population connectivity of the Asian green mussel Perna viridis in South China Sea, inferred from mitochondria DNA markers

• COI and 16S genes were used to investigate the population structure.
• High haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were observed in COI gene.
• Moderate haplotype diversity was observed in 16S rRNA gene.
• No significant genetic differentiation and shallow genetic structure.

The Asian green mussel Perna viridis is ecologically and economically important in the coastal regions of China. In order to characterize the genetic diversity and population connectivity of P. viridis in South China Sea, a 664 bp region of mitochondrial COI gene and a 293 bp region of 16S rRNA gene were sequenced and analyzed for 78 and 92 individuals from four populations in South China Sea, respectively. A total of 15 haplotypes were defined by 14 variable nucleotide sites in COI gene, and 7 haplotypes by 6 variable nucleotide sites in 16S rRNA gene. High haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were observed in COI gene, while moderate haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity were observed in 16S rRNA gene. Pairwise FST values of COI gene were all negative and those of 16S rRNA gene ranged from −0.01409 to 0.10289. The results showed that no significant genetic divergence (or shallow genetic structure) and high levels of population connectivity among the four populations of P. viridis in South China Sea.