Population structure of the Pacific black halibut Reinhardtius matsuurae Jordan et Snyder

A blood serum electrophoresis study of black halibut ( Reinhardtius matsuurae Jordan et Snyder) in the North Pacific revealed polymorphic protein systems of esterases (Est-1, Est-2) and transferrin (Tf). Comparison of genetic similarity among black halibut from different locations of the northern Pacific Ocean showed that groups inhabiting areas with stable water circulation were genetically more different than groups inhabiting geographically distant waters that were connected by sea currents. It is concluded that black halibut in the North Pacific consists of two types of metapopulations. The first type comprises populations inhabiting waters with a stable water circulation which entrains the pelagic eggs and larvae. The other type comprises an aggregate of local populations connected to a central population through water currents that transport the pelagic eggs and larvae.