Population genetic structure of the goby Stiphodon rutilaureus (Gobiidae) in the New Georgia Group, Solomon Islands

Abstract

In this study, we use eight microsatellite loci and a mitochondrial locus to investigate the population structure of the amphidromous goby species Stiphodon rutilaureus in the New Georgia Group, Solomon Islands. In total, 206 specimens were collected between June 2010 and August of 2012 on three different trips. The AMOVA results from both types of loci reveal that >95% of variation is contained within populations. Pairwise comparisons reveal non-significant differences between three different regions for the mitochondrial analysis but a significant difference between the west and central regions for the microsatellites. The findings in this study concur with results from previous studies, indicating low or no population structure among populations of amphidromous sicydiine goby species on different islands within an archipelago. This study can provide suggestions for management and conservation of fragile aquatic species.