Evidence for multiple maternal contributors in nests of kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus, Hexagrammidae)

Twenty-three nests of kelp greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus) were examined from British Columbia and central California. The average nest had four clutches of eggs that were associated with rock or rock and a biological substrate, encompassed an area of 1.7 m(2), and was guarded by a male averaging 31 cm in length. Frequency distributions of egg-size classes were examined for 13 gravid females. Females were batch spawners capable of producing at least three clutches of eggs per spawning season. Variation in mitochondrial DNA among 107 individuals from 83 clutches representing 20 nests sampled from British Columbia and central California was analyzed. Different maternal contributors were found among clutches in 27% of nests from British Columbia and 55% of nests from California.