Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of Atlantic Coast striped bass

Atlantic Coast striped bass exhibit exceptionally low levels of genetic variation. The ability of the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method to uncover genetic variation in this highly conserved species was investigated. Sufficient levels of variation were detected to allow a population genetic analysis of the four migratory populations of Atlantic Coast striped bass. Lynch's analogue of Wright's FST (F'ST) suggests that Atlantic Coast striped bass are genetically subdivided (F'ST for pooled Atlantic samples = 0.44). Significant heterogeneity was detected in the frequencies of 32 per cent of surveyed RAPD markers. A modification of Slatkin's conditional average frequency method suggests that gene flow is present among the sampled Atlantic Coast striped bass. Results of the RAPD analysis suggest that gene flow is sufficient to prevent fixation of alternate genetic markers, but not sufficient to prevent the development of significant divergence in frequencies of these markers.