Genetics of the black-lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera in the western Pacific

Seven populations of the black-lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, from the western Pacific were assayed for allozyme variation at 17 polymorphic loci from mantle biopsies.Gene frequencies were able to be reliably scored on 7 polymorphic loci: EST, LT-1, LT-2, LP, PGM, MDH-1, GPI. Numbers of samples (total 268) ranged from 5 to 98 per collection locality.Genetic relationship was examined using Rogers genetic distance, Nei's unbiased genetic distances and UPGMA clustering method.Collection localities: Batt and Little Trunk reefs on the Great Barrier Reef; Butatitari and Abaiang in Kiribati; and Manihiki, Penryhn and Suwarrow in the Cook Islands. To examine the genetic differentiation between populations within reef groups and additionally between the Great Barrier Reef and Pacific Islands.