Genetic diversity and morphological characterisation of three turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L., 1758) populations along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast

Turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus L., 1758) is a valuable commercial fish species classified as endangered. The conservation and sustainability of the turbot populations require knowledge population’s genetic structure constant monitoring its biodiversity. present study was performed to evaluate population along Bulgarian Black Sea coast using seven pairs microsatellites, two mitochondrial DNA (COIII CR) 23 morphological (15 morphometric 8 meristic) markers. A total 72 specimens at three locations were genotyped 59 alleles identified. observed number microsatellites more than effective alleles. overall mean values (Ho) expected heterogeneity (He) 0.638 0.685. high rate migration between (overall Nm = 17.484), with maximum value (19.498) Shabla Nesebar locations, observed. This result corresponded low level differentiation amongst these Fst 0.014), but there no correlation geographical distance. diversity in also average Garza-Williamson M index for all (0.359), suggesting reduction variation due founder effect or bottleneck. Concerning DNA, 17 haplotypes COIII 41 CR control region showed patterns haplotype very nucleotide diversity, indicating significant closely-related that this may have undergone recent expansion. Tajima’s D test Fu’s FS suggested growth. Pairwise low. admixture lack structuring found pointed analysed probably belonging same unit. Therefore, proper understanding sound distribution an important prerequisite successful sustainable development strategies preserve their evolutionary potential.