Genetic structure of the European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus l., in the north-west Mediterranean

The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus, is a small pelagic fish very common in the north-western Mediterranean. The presence in this region of three well-defined spawning grounds suggested the possible existence of different populations. We examined six samples in different areas between the south of Catalonia (Spain) and the island of Elba (Italy) using enzyme electrophoresis and found considerable genetic homogeneity. The results point to the conclusion that there is a single population, although we hypothesise the existence of demographic structuring in the context of important gene flow. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.