Analysis of Partial Mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA Gene Sequences Variation of Pagurus brachiomastus and Pagurus proximus (Decapoda: Paguridae) Populations from the South of Russian Far East

Mitochondrial COI and 16S rRNA gene partial sequences were generated for Pagurus brachiomastus from two locations and P. proximus from single location of the south of Russian Far East. Genetic variation and differentiation of P. brachiomastus Russian and South Korean (GenBank data) populations were estimated and compared on the basis of sequence data on two mitochondrial genes separately. Additionally, P. simulans from South Korea was analyzed. Results show P. brachiomastus from two locations of the south of Russian Far East and South Korea and Korean P. simulans differs at intraspecific level based on molecular markers. Median-Joining analysis indicate presence of two main groups of haplotypes, representing P. proximus and P. brachiomastus + P. simulans, respectively. These data support that P. brachiomastus and P. simulans are conspecific. Mismatch distribution analysis showed population growth for P. brachiomastus at the south of Russian Far East. Sequence pairwise variations of both molecular markers appear differently in two far eastern samples of P. brachiomastus, that can be partially explained by active gene flow through hermit crab migrations between two localities after their isolation.