Geographic structure evidenced in the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum Litaker (A. catenella – group IV (Whedon & Kofoid) Balech) along Japanese and Chinese coastal waters

• Alexandrium pacificum (A. catenella – IV) is a cryptic invasive toxic dinoflagellate.
• Gene flows between the Japanese Pacific and the Chinese Zhejiang coasts.
• Genetic isolation of the Sea of Japan population.
• The Mediterranean population would be newly introduced.

The intra-specific diversity and genetic structure within the Alexandrium pacificum Litaker (A. catenella – Group IV) populations along the Temperate Asian coasts, were studied among individuals isolated from Japan to China. The UPGMA dendrogram and FCA revealed the existence of 3 clusters. Assignment analysis suggested the occurrence of gene flows between the Japanese Pacific coast (cluster-1) and the Chinese Zhejiang coast (cluster-2). Human transportations are suspected to explain the lack of genetic difference between several pairs of distant Japanese samples, hardly explained by a natural dispersal mechanism. The genetic isolation of the population established in the Sea of Japan (cluster-3) suggested the existence of a strong ecological and geographical barrier. Along the Pacific coasts, the South–North current allows limited exchanges between Chinese and Japanese populations. The relationships between Temperate Asian and Mediterranean individuals suggested different scenario of large-scale dispersal mechanisms.