Population genetic structure of the white sardine, Sardinella albella, in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman by analysis of mitochondrial control region

Several studies on the white sardine: Sardinella albella, have focused on the identification of stock composition and behavior. In this study population genetic structure and historical demography of S. albella along the cost of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman were investigated with a 500-bp segment of mt-DNA control region. In total 40 samples were collected from 3 locations: Jask in Sea of Oman, Qeshm in Strait of Hormuz and Lengeh in the Persian Gulf during 2012-2013. 33 haplotype were obtained none of which were presented in all sampling sites. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated low genetic differentiation among regions (FST=0.024, p<0.05).The average pair wise differences between regional population were small but significant (0.0158-0.165). Molecular variance explained by differences among three regions was significantly different from zero but the FST did not show clear phylogeographic isolation. This observation can support the conclusion that S. albella has a widespread dispersal potential.