A PRELIMINARY BIOCHEMICAL GENETIC STIJDY OF TWO POPULATIONS OF LITHOGNATHUS AURETI (PERCIFORMES: SPARIDAE)

Summary Two populations of Lithognathus aureti were electrophoretically analysed to determine the extent of genetic divergence between, and variation within them. Gene products of 35 protein coding loci showed no fixed allele differences between these populations. However, significant genotypic differentiation between the populations was found at two loci, which indicates that effective barriers exist to isolate them. This is substantiated by catch-and-release data. The limited gene flow between the populations from Meob Bay and Rocky Point, and the enviromnental barrier in the vicinity of Meob Bay, indicate that they are effectively isolated. This is the first account of the genetic variation of these populations, and the results are important for the effective management of these recreationally and commercially exploited, fishes.