Population genetics of the fissiparous holothurians, Stichopus chloronotus and Holothuria atra, Torres Strait and La Reunion

About 50 individuals from each of 5 populations of the fissiparous holothurian species Stichopus chloronotus and 4 populations of Holothuria atra were collected from the Torres Strait and La Reunion in 1999 to compare patterns of asexual reproduction and to investigate connectivity between widely separated geographic regions.Polymorphic enzyme loci were surveyed using allozyme electrophoresis: PGM, GPI, HK, LP, PGD, PGM, VL in Holothuria atra; and HK, MPI, PGM, TPI, VL in Stichopus chloronotus.The proportions of asexual contributions was assessed from sexually produced individuals.UPMGA cluster analysis using Rogers' genetic distance was carried out.
The aim of the study was to compare the importance of asexual reproduction between the two regions and between the two species, and to investigate connectivity between holothurian populations in the two oceans.
Reef locations: Cumberland Reef no.3, Derder and Warrior Reefs in the Torres Strait; and Etang Sale, Planch Alizes, St. Leu and Trou d¿eau at La Reunion.