Geographical and temporal variation of redfish (Sebastes mentella) microsatellite DNA in the Irminger Sea and adjacent waters

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We have analysed 21 samples (total 514 fish) of Sebastes mentella collected in different years (2005, 2007, 2009) throughout the Irminger Sea from depths above and below 500 m and three samples (89 fish) from the open part of the Norwegian Sea. All samples were scored for ten microsatellite loci. Our data indicate the absence of significant genetic segregation based on microsatellite loci between “deep pelagic” and “oceanic” samples in the Irminger Sea. Samples taken from the same geographic area (but from different depths) in a number of cases manifest more genetic similarities compared with geographically distant samples from the same depth. In addition, no temporal stability was revealed, and the samples from the same area but taken in different years did not cluster together. The results clearly indicate that whereas pelagic Sebastes mentella has prominent polymorphism revealed by meristic, morphometric, and genetic data, neither geographical nor temporal stability in genetic structure from deep and shallow pelagic zones has been confirmed.