The phylogeography and population genetics of Polyprion oxygeneios based on mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite DNA markers

A 488 base pair portion of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequence from 294 individuals, and genotypes from 259 individuals using nine polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci, were used to investigate the phylogeography and population genetic structure of hapuku Polyprion oxygeneios from around New Zealand. The mtDNA data failed to detect any significant level of differentiation among sample sites. However, the microsatellite DNA analyses showed that individuals sampled from the west coast of the South Island (Hokitika) were genetically distinct from individuals sampled at all other New Zealand sites. These two groups might be representative of two separate populations of P. oxygeneios within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone. Our results suggest that the west coast South Island P. oxygeneios fishery should continue to be managed as a separate stock.