T-PO-18
Development Of a Genetic Monitoring Program For Stock Enhancement Of Mississippi Spotted Seatrout, ,Cynoscion Nebulosus

Tuesday, September 10, 2013: 2:20 PM
Pope (Statehouse Convention Center)
Carly Somerset , Department of Coastal Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS
Eric Saillant , Department of Coastal Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Ocean Springs, MS
Genetic management is an essential component of stock enhancement and aims to avoid negative effects on genetic diversity and fitness. Here we report the development of a genetic monitoring program for stock enhancement of the Spotted Seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus a popular coastal gamefish in Mississippi. Fifteen microsatellite markers were optimized for multiplex assay and evaluated for genetic identification of recaptured released fish through likelihood based parentage assignment. Simulation analysis indicated that expected error rates during genetic identification were lower than 0.08%. Samples from the four major bay systems in Mississippi and reference populations in Louisiana (Grand Isle), and West Florida (Pensacola and Apalachicola) were assayed at the 15 microsatellite markers (average n = 66 per locality). No significant divergence among localities was detected from Grand Isle (LA) to Grand Bay (MS). However, significant divergence between these localities and West Florida was detected (0.0185 < FST < 0.0273, P < 0.001) consistent with an isolation-by-distance pattern of population structure. Further work will focus on estimating dispersal parameters to define management units for stock enhancement. Program targets are discussed with reference to the effective population size of hatchery and wild populations, and the contribution of hatchery fish to breeding in the wild.