Genetics of kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus, recruiting near two marine protected areas in the California Channel Islands: A test for sibling-dominated recruitment

Genetics of actively recruiting juvenile kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus, was studied near 2 marine protected areas (MPAs) in the California Channel Islands. Evidence of sibling-dominated recruitment was sought to potentially determine whether MPAs might be significantly enhancing recruitment to proximal areas. The mitochondrial DNA control region sequence of 162 kelp bass was analyzed and the number of haplotypes, shared and unique (singletons), was determined for each of 3 juvenile population samples and an adult population sample used for comparison. A test of homogeneity, haplotype frequency, AMOVA, mismatch distribution, effective population size, and phylogenetic analysis found no apparent sibling-dominated recruitment near the MPAs suggesting that genetically mixed recruitment was occurring locally. These tests did suggest a potential geographical separation, however, prohibiting long range mixing of recruits between Santa Catalina Island and Santa Cruz Island. Recruitment patterns and the attendant genetics should be considered when planning size and location of MPAs.