The Genetic Diversity of mtDNA of Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867) (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in Peter the Great Gulf, Sea of Japan

The genetic diversity of the Far Eastern sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867), which lives in Peter the Great, Sea of Japan, has been studied. Five samples were analyzed using the mitochondrial DNA’s COI gene fragment. A total of 16 haplotypes were identified, with high haplotype diversity (0.86767 ± 0.01800) and low nucleotide diversity (0.00759 ± 0.00025). The results using AMOVA and pairwise Fst did not reveal significant genetic differences between the samples from Peter the Great Gulf. Based on the data we obtained and the structure of the haplotype network, it was suggested that the Far Eastern sea cucumber lives in nonequilibrium conditions. This relates to the uneven distribution of juveniles, depending on the hydrological regime, the type of soil and the development of mariculture in the water area, as well as a significant illegal catch.