Microsatellite-Marker-Based Evaluation of Stock Enhancement for Kuruma Prawn Penaeus japonicus in Beibu Gulf, South China Sea

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of stock enhancement on Penaeus japonicus (Bate, 1888) in Beibu Gulf, South China Sea, and to investigate whether stock enhancement has genetically affected the natural population of P. japonicus in the Beibu Gulf waters. Five microsatellite loci were used to identify released individuals among recaptured specimens. In total, 13 of the 487 recaptured individuals were found with their corresponding parents for this release of shrimp seedlings, accounting for 2.67% of the total recaptured P. japonicus. Furthermore, it was determined that the genetic differences among the broodstock, released, and recaptured populations of P. japonicus were small and did not cause significant changes in the genetic structure of P. japonicus in the area. In conclusion, the stock enhancement of P. japonicus in Beibu Gulf had a certain effect on resource restoration, and there is no difference in the genetic characteristics obtained by the microsatellite markers compared to the original population in this area.