Insights into the population genetic structure of the Far Eastern sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus in the Russian Far East: environmental and anthropogenic aspects
Year: 2026
Type: dataset
Abstract: The Far Eastern sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, is ecologically vital and commercially valuable, yet its populations have declined sharply due to overfishing, leading to its current endangered status. Despite prolonged exploitation of this species throughout its range, the genetic structure of natural populations, particularly off the Sakhalin and Kunashir Islands, remains poorly understood. Using microsatellite loci as a valuable tool for population-level screening, we analyzed samples from a broad geographic range, including Primorsky Krai (Sea of Japan) and the Sakhalin-Kuril area (Sea of Okhotsk). We revealed two main regional groups, but differentiation between them was comparable to, or even lower than, that observed among some samples within the same group. The Sakhalin-Kunashir samples largely form a panmictic and homogeneous group, a pattern facilitated by stable oceanographic conditions and uniform currents. In contrast, samples from Primorsky Krai exhibit genetic mosaicism and fragmentation, with significant differentiation evident even among geographically proximate sites. The population genetic structure of sea cucumbers in the Russian Far East appears to be shaped by a combination of biological (planktonic larvae) and ecological (complex hydrology) factors, intertwined with historical and current anthropogenic signatures (active harvesting, aquaculture, and artificial introduction). These findings underscore the powerful and lasting impact of human activities on populations of commercially valuable marine species. They also highlight the necessity of integrating genetic data into conservation strategies and aquaculture management to preserve the adaptive potential and long-term viability of this endangered species.
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7207845765