Polar cod, Boreogadus saida, is an important part of Arctic and boreal marine ecosystems. Knowledge of polar cod population genetic structuring can provide insight into how the species may respond to environmental change, and allow for establishment of meaningful management units. To examine population genetic structure of B. saida, we analysed nine microsatellite DNA loci in 2269 fish collected at 19 locations across the species’ range. Genetic differentiation was detected (FST = 0.01, p < 0.01), which had concordance with geography. A Canada East group consisted of fish collected from Resolute Bay to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Three additional groups were observed. These consisted of a Canada West group containing specimens from the Canadian Beaufort Sea and Amundsen Gulf, a Europe group containing specimens from the Greenland Sea, Iceland and the Laptev Sea, and a US group consisting of specimens collected in the North Bering, Chukchi and Western Beaufort seas. Very little genetic differentiation was detected within the identified groups. Physical distance, geophysical structure and oceanography all appeared to have the potential to influence levels of genetic divergence. The population genetic structure detected is likely to be important for the response of B. saida to environmental change, and should be considered in management of human activities that may impact this foundational species.

中文翻译：

---

极地鳕鱼环极遗传种群结构

极地鳕鱼 Boreogadus saida 是北极和北方海洋生态系统的重要组成部分。极地鳕鱼种群遗传结构的知识可以深入了解该物种如何应对环境变化，并允许建立有意义的管理单位。为了检查 B. saida 的种群遗传结构，我们分析了在该物种范围内的 19 个位置收集的 2269 条鱼中的 9 个微卫星 DNA 位点。检测到遗传分化（FST = 0.01，p < 0.01），这与地理一致。加拿大东部的一组鱼由从 Resolute 湾到圣劳伦斯湾收集的鱼组成。观察到另外三个组。这些包括一个加拿大西部组，包含来自加拿大波弗特海和阿蒙森湾的标本，一个欧洲组包含来自格陵兰海的标本，冰岛和拉普捷夫海，以及一个由在北白令海、楚科奇海和西波弗特海收集的标本组成的美国小组。在确定的组内检测到很少的遗传分化。物理距离、地球物理结构和海洋学似乎都有可能影响遗传差异的水平。检测到的种群遗传结构可能对 B. saida 对环境变化的反应很重要，并且在管理可能影响这一基本物种的人类活动时应予以考虑。地球物理结构和海洋学似乎都有可能影响遗传差异的水平。检测到的种群遗传结构可能对 B. saida 对环境变化的反应很重要，并且在管理可能影响这一基本物种的人类活动时应予以考虑。地球物理结构和海洋学似乎都有可能影响遗传差异的水平。检测到的种群遗传结构可能对 B. saida 对环境变化的反应很重要，并且在管理可能影响这一基本物种的人类活动时应予以考虑。