Vanson Liu, Shang-YinShang-YinVanson LiuWang, Chia-HuiChia-HuiWangShiao, Jen-ChiehJen-ChiehShiaoDai, Chang-FengChang-FengDai2018-09-102018-09-102010http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-78650291502&partnerID=MN8TOARShttp://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/356688Understanding dispersal patterns and population connectivity is crucial to the conservation and management of fish assemblages in reef ecosystems. To reveal the population connectivity of reef fishes in the northern West Pacific, we examined the otolith chemistry and the mtDNA control region of Pomacentrus coelestis collected from six localities between Hainan Island (China) and Okinawa (Japan). The results of otolith chemistry analyses on pre-settlement signatures showed that fishes in north-west Taiwan may have a similar origin, whereas those in southern Taiwan might have a separate origin from the South China Sea. Furthermore, the elemental ratios of post-settlement signatures showed clear separation among localities, reflecting their sedentary behaviour after settlement and the influence of local environment. Population genetic analyses revealed that significant genetic differentiation occurred between populations in north-west Taiwan and populations in the South China Sea and the Kuroshio ecosystems. This study demonstrated that otolith chemistry and mtDNA analyses revealed consistent and complementary results of the dispersal and connectivity of P. coelestis populations, and provided evidence supporting that fish populations around Taiwan should be considered as two stocks. Thus, two marine protected area networks should be established for the conservation and management of reef fishes in this area. © 2010 CSIRO.application/pdfgene flow; marine protected areas; mtDNA; Neon damselfish; otolith microchemistry; population connectivity.[SDGs]SDG14cohort analysis; conservation management; dispersal; gene flow; genetic analysis; genetic differentiation; marine park; mitochondrial DNA; otolith; perciform; reef; China; Hainan; Japan; Okinawa [Ryukyu Islands]; Okinawa Island; Okinawa Islands; Pacific Ocean; Pacific Ocean (Northwest); Ryukyu Islands; South China Sea; Taiwan; Pisces; Pomacentrus coelestisjournal article10.1071/MF100792-s2.0-78650291502WOS:000285208600007