Genetic structure and phylogeography of the endemic species broadbanded velvetchin Hapalogenys analis in the Northwest Pacific

In recent years, due to high-intensity fishing pressure and environmental pollution, some economically important fish species in the waters of the Northwest Pacific have shown a miniaturization trend as well as a sharp decline in fishery resources. Broadbanded velvetchin Hapalogenys analis is an economically important fish species that is widely distributed in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. To improve the understanding regarding its genetic structure and systematic geographic patterns, 87 mitochondrial control region sequences in four geographically distinct populations in the marginal sea of the Northwest Pacific Ocean were identified and analyzed. Thus, 67 haplotypes were detected in 812-base pair homologous sequences, and the haplotypes were identified as predominantly singletons. Further, genetic diversity and genetic structure analysis revealed that the Chinese and Japanese populations of H. analis had different genetic patterns as well as high levels of genetic differentiation. Furthermore, the population of H. analis expanded in the late Pleistocene and middle Pleistocene. We also identified biogeographical barriers, Pleistocene geological events, ocean circulation, habitat, and life history characteristics as the factors that influenced the population genetic structure and systematic geographical pattern of the broadbanded velvetchin species. This study provides information that can be applied in the conservation, sustainable utilization, and genetic diversity maintenance of H. analis.