Study Finds Increased Genetically Distinct Alaska Crab Populations
New genetic research on Alaska red king crab indicates there are at least six, and possibly seven, genetically distinct populations, making the species more resilient to climate and ocean condition changes.
The report released Jan. 2 by NOAA Fisheries identifies the genetically distinct populations being in Southeast Alaska, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Bristol Bay, Pribilof Islands, Norton Sound and the Chukchi Sea.
Researchers found previously unrecognized differences between crab in the Gulf of Alaska and East Bering Sea regions, plus the Eastern Bering Sea region split into separate Bristol Bay and Pribilof Islands populations.
They also found that the Aleutian Islands and Norton Sound/Chukchi Sea regions are unique. Data suggests that Norton Sound and Chukchi Sea po...
