A modified stepping-stone model of population structure in red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Sciaenidae), from the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Genetic studies of population or 'stock' structure in exploited marine fishes typically are designed to determine whether geographic boundaries useful for conservation and management planning are identifiable. Implicit in many such studies is the notion that subpopulations or stocks, if they exist, have fixed territories with little or no gene exchange between them. Herein, we review our long-term genetic studies of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), an estuarine-dependent sciaenid fish in the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic Ocean. Significant differences in frequencies of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and of alleles at nuclear-encoded microsatellites occur among red drum sampled across the northern Gulf of Mexico. The spatial distribution of the genetic variation, however, follows a pattern of isolation-by-distance consistent with the hypothesis that gene flow occurs among subpopulations and is an inverse (and continuous) function of geographic distance. However, successful reproduction and recruitment of red drum depend on estuarine habitats that have geographically discrete boundaries. We hypothesize that population structure in red drum follows a modified one-dimensional, linear stepping-stone model where gene exchange occurs primarily (but not exclusively) between adjacent bays and estuaries distributed linearly along the coastline. Gene flow does occur among estuaries that are not adjacent but probabilities of gene exchange decrease as a function of geographic distance. Implications of our hypothesis are discussed in terms of inferences drawn from patterns of isolation-by-distance and relative to conservation and management of estuarine-dependent species like red drum. Based on estimates of the ratio of genetic effective population size and census size in red drum, observed patterns of gene flow in red drum may play a significant role in recruitment.

Molecular phylogeny of Nemadactylus and Acantholatris (Perciformes: Cirrhitoidea: Cheilodactylidae), with implications for taxonomy and biogeography.

The species of Nemadactylus and Acantholatris are perciform fishes with representatives in each ocean of the Southern Hemisphere. Mitochondrial DNA sequences were obtained from all five species of Nemadactylus, two of the three Acantholatris species, and several outgroup taxa. Analysis of cytochrome b sequences placed A. monodactylus and A. gayi within an otherwise entirely Nemadactylus clade, suggesting that these genera are synonymous. The Acantholatris sequences were also very similar to those from three of the Nemadactylus species, despite their geographic separation. Analysis of D-loop sequences paralleled the cytochrome b results, but provided greater resolution of species relationships. Nemadactylus sp. and A. gayi are transoceanic sister taxa. Polytypic clades observed for N. macropterus and A. monodactylus most likely reflect incomplete sorting of mitochondrial DNA lineages. It is proposed that this group dispersed and radiated during the last 0. 6-2.6 million years, and the possible mechanisms of this process are discussed.

Extreme intraspecific mitochondrial DNA sequence divergence in Galaxias maculatus (Osteichthys: Galaxiidae), one of the world's most widespread freshwater fish.

Biogeographic controversies surrounding the widespread freshwater fish, Galaxias maculatus, were addressed with DNA sequence data. Mitochondrial cytochrome b and 16S rRNA sequences were obtained from representatives of six populations of this species. Substantial levels of cytochrome b (maximum 14.6%) and 16S rRNA sequence divergence (maximum 6.0%) were detected between western Pacific (Tasmania-New Zealand) and South American (Chile-Falkland Islands) haplotypes. A considerable level of divergence was also detected between Tasmanian and New Zealand haplotypes (maximum 5.1%) and within and among Chilean and Falkland Island G. maculatus (maximum 3. 8%). The phylogenetic structure of haplotypes conflicts with the accepted pattern of continental fragmentation. Molecular clock calibrations suggest that haplotype divergences postdate the fragmentation of Gondwana. These findings point to marine dispersal rather than ancient vicariance as an explanation for the wide distribution. The phylogenetic structure of South American haplotypes was not consistent with their geographic distribution. We consider factors such as population divergence, population size, dispersal, secondary contact, and philopatry as potential causes of the high level of mtDNA nucleotide diversity in this species.