Population Genetic Diversity of Arctic Cod (Boreogadus saida) of Russian Arctic Seas

Abstract

We present the data on genetic variation of Arctic cod Boreogadus saida assessed using seven microsatellite loci in four samples collected in the Kara, Laptev, and East-Siberian seas in 2014 and 2017. We found small but mostly statistically significant differences between the samples. The estimates of spatial genetic differentiation of the Arctic cod in Russian Arctic seas (0.4% of the total genetic variation on average), similar to those for the rest of its panarctic distribution range, are the lowest among the related gadid species. However, significant temporal variability is noted in Arctic cod. The reasons for the weak spatial divergence of Arctic cod and the prospects for further population genetic studies are discussed.