Genetic variability and population structure of sockeye salmon from the Asian Coast of Pacific Ocean

Variability of six microsatellite loci and 45 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci was analyzed in 17 samples of sockeye salmon from 10 major spawning watersheds on the Asian coast of the Pacific Ocean. On the basis of the analysis of SNP loci variability of sockeye salmon in the examined part of the range, five population groups were identified, including local stocks from the Palana, Okhota, and Kamchatka rivers, as well as the population groups of Southwestern Kamchatka, and Northeastern Kamchatka and Chukotka. Rather different pattern of samples differentiation was obtained by estimating variability of six microsatellite DNA loci. Regional complexes of the eastern and western coasts of Kamchatka were identified. Moreover, sockeye salmon from the Palana River fell into the cluster of Western Kamchatka populations, while the population from the Okhota River and Meynypilgin lake–river system (Chukotka), confined to the subperiphery of the range, where the most differentiated from the others. The possible reasons for the discrepancies and high divergence of the Palana River and the Okhota River sockeye salmon populations, inferred from the SNP markers analysis, are discussed.