Signatures of temporal genetic differentiation of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) revealed by microsatellite markers

Population genetics is a key component of policy development for fisheries management and conservation. Spatial genetic structure of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) has been previously reported, however, to date, no study has investigated temporal changes in genetic composition of this species. In the present study, temporal population-genetic structure was assessed by 15 microsatellite markers, and a temporal change in genetic composition of L. polyactis was observed. The temporal genetic variation of L. polyactis populations might be attributed to fishing-induced or ecological changes for this species. These results provided new perspectives on the population genetic structure of L. polyactis, which could have significant implications for sustainable management and utilization of this important fishery resource.