Genetic diversity status and conservation priority of hatchery-produced offspring populations of Fenneropenaeus chinensis by microsatellite DNA

The Chinese shrimp Fenneropenaeus chinensis is an important economic species in China. To evaluate the genetic diversity of hatchery-produced offspring of F. chinensis, 15 populations were collected from three provinces in China and analysed using nine microsatellite DNA loci. High values for expected and observed heterozygosity (H-e and H-o respectively), as well as for polymorphism information content (PIC), were obtained (H-e = 0.845-0.905, H-o = 0.507-0.766, PIC = 0.834-0.891), and no loss of genetic variability was detected in F. chinensis in this study. The genetic differentiation among 15 populations was small, suggesting genetic homogeneity among hatchery-produced offspring. The results of the present study indicate that the most immediate and effective conservation priority for F. chinensis in Chinese coastal waters should be maintaining the current genetic diversity. Genetic monitoring should be performed to maintain an effective population size and avoid loss of genetic diversity.