Lam, Yin Ha. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 188-203). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vi / CONTENTS --- p.viii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xiv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Literature Review / Chapter 1.1 --- Crisis in world fisheries --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Connectivity of fish populations --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- The South China Sea --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives and significance of the study --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6 --- The target species in the present study --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Family Siganidae --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Difficulties in morphological differentiation in Siganidae --- p.17 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Systematic studies of Siganidae by molecular method --- p.20 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- Population genetic studies of Siganidae using molecular Marker --- p.24 / Chapter 1.7 --- Structure of the Thesis --- p.26 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Population structure of Siganus canaliculatus/S. fuscescens species complex in the South China Sea based on mirochondrial DNA control region / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Collection of specimens --- p.36 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- "DNA extraction, PCR amplification and sequencing" --- p.37 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Sequence analysis --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Genetic diversity --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Phylogenetic analysis and population genetic structure --- p.42 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Historical demography --- p.46 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Genetic diversity and demographic history --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Phylogeographical patterns --- p.51 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Phylogeographical patterns and present day oceanic currents --- p.56 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Population structure: Indian Ocean vs. Pacific Ocean --- p.61 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Population structures in the South China Sea --- p.64 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- Implication for fisheries management --- p.72 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Morphological differentiation in Siganus canaliculatus/S. fuscescens species complex / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.92 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.94 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Collection of specimen --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Morphometric measurements --- p.95 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Spots counts --- p.96 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Statistical analysis of data。 --- p.98 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.100 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Univariate analysis --- p.100 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Multivariate analysis --- p.103 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.106 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Meristic characters --- p.106 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Morphometric measurements --- p.107 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Comparison with the previous works --- p.107 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Comparison of morphometric indices among groups and populations --- p.112 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary --- p.117 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- "The Siganus canaliculatus and S, fuscescens species complex- An evaluation" / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.149 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.154 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.155 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Meristic and morphometries --- p.156 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Spots counts --- p.160 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Cryptic species --- p.165 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General Conclusions --- p.183 / References --- p.188