Abstract:Mitochondrial COI gene fragments and ribosomal 28S rRNA of Atrina pectinta sampled from five locations including three in Shandong (Changdao, Wendeng, and Rizhao), one Guangdong (Zhanjiang) and one in Hainan (Haikou) were amplified with universal primers, and 623bp and 983bp nucleotide sequences were obtained, respectively. Phylogenetic studies of Pinnidae based on 28S rRNA partial sequences showed that A. pectinta had a close genetic relationship with Atrina vexillumju. Genetic diversity of the five populations based on COI partial sequences demonstrated that the Wendeng population had the highest level of genetic diversity. The fixation indices (Fst) analyzed by AMOVA was 0.132 3 (P<0.001), indicating that the genetic variation of A. pectinta was mainly from genetic fixation inter-populations. Cluster analysis based on 28S rRNA and COI showed that A. pectinta in China might have differentiated into different subspecies. These findings would provide molecular biological data for the protection and utilization of A. pectinta resources in China.
