The PCR analysis was performed on DNA samples extracted from a total of 20 individuals using six oligonucleotides primers. The author accomplished clustering analyses to reveal the Euclidean genetic distances among four clam populations from Gochang, Seocheon, Taean and Anmyeon of the Korean peninsula. The oligonucleotides primer OPA-08 generated 5 unique loci to each population, approximately 550 bp and 600 bp, respectively, in the MCS population. Especially, the primer OPA-20 generated 15 unique loci to each population, which were identifying each population, approximately 400 bp, 750 bp and 800 bp, in the MCT population. Individuals from MCG clam population (0.637±0.227) exhibited higher bandsharing values than did individuals from MCG clam population (0.402±0.115) (P<0.05). The dendrogram obtained by the six oligonucleotides primers indicates four genetic clusters: cluster 1 (MCG 01, 02, 04 and 05), cluster 2 (MCS 06, 07, 08, 09 and 10), cluster 3 (MCT 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15) and cluster 4 (MCA 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and MCG 03). Among the twenty clam individuals, the shortest genetic distance that displayed significant molecular differences was between individuals 14 and 15 from the MCT population (genetic distance = 0.094), while the longest genetic distance among the twenty individuals that displayed significant molecular differences was between individuals MCG no. 01 and MCG no. 02 (genetic distance = 0.687). Comparatively, individuals of MCS clam population were fairly closely related to that of MCT clam population, as shown in the hierarchical dendrogram of Euclidean genetic distances.

• Jong-Man Yoon(Department of Aquatic Life Medicine, College of Ocean Science and Technology, Kunsan National University)