GENETIC PATTERNS OF Tridacna crocea IN THE BOHOL SEA

Abstract

The genetic patterns of six populations of the giant clam, Tridacna crocea from reefs in the Bohol Sea was determined using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) primers. Samples from the Spratly group of islands were included for comparison. Results showed a remarkably high level of haplotypic diversity but low nucleotide diversity. Hierarchical Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) revealed fine scale genetic differentiation among geographical areas, however, within group analysis showed homogeneity in the Bohol Sea which indicates gene flow among the populations. This translates to MPA connectivity and highlights the importance of each MPA sampled as both source and sink of T. crocea in the Bohol sea and adjacent areas.