Microsatellite Analysis of Japanese Sea Cucumber, Stichopus (Apostichopus) japonicus, Supports Reproductive Isolation in Color Variants

Abstract

The genetic relationship among the three color variants (Red, Green, and Black) of the Japanese sea cucumber, S. japonicus, was investigated using 11 microsatellite markers. Genetic differentiation testing among the three sympatric color types showed the strong heterogeneity of Red (p<0.001), while no significant difference was observed between Green and Black (p=0.301 to 0.961). UPGMA trees constructed from 10 sample lots from 5 localities showed two distinct clusters, one from the Red types and the other from the Green and Black types. In addition, the sympatric Green and Black formed one subcluster with strong bootstrap support at each locality. These results indicate the separate species status of Red and the other color types, and also support the population identity of sympatric Green and Black.

Physiological characterization of aerobic culturable bacteria in the intestine of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

“…1). The genetic relationship between black and green types in Apostichopus japonicus was examined using 11 microsatellite markers and it was concluded that sympatric black and green types belonged to the same population (Kanno et al, 2006). The surface water temperature was 7.4 C and the salinity of surface water was 2.85% at the sampling point.…”

Effects of stocking density, temperature, and salinity on larval survival and growth of the red race of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

“…However, information concerning the red race of sea cucumber is limited and mainly focuses on the evaluation of the color variation and genetic differentiation among the three color variants (Kanno and Kijima 2001Kanno et al 2006). There are few reports about the hatchery production of the red race of A. japonicus.…”

“…Kanno and Kijima (2002) found the red color is discontinuous from the other color races quantitatively (numerical value of the skin color by L*a*b color model) and qualitatively (pigment composition), while the green and black variants show continuous color distribution and the same pigment composition. Microsatellite analysis of the three color variants indicates a separate species status for the red variant and the other color races (Kanno et al 2006). Color variation is one of this species' most important traits, affecting the price and taste of the products.…”

A comparative study on growth, protein turnover and energy budget of green and white color morphs of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

“…Previous studies have shown that sea cucumber can be divided into green, red and black morphs (Kanno et al 2006, Kang et al 2011. White sea cucumber, a genetic albino variant, is rare in nature (Ma et al 2014a) and extensively believed to be rich in the element selenium, and consequently has a high market value.…”