Evaluating the genetic consequences of river fragmentation in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817) populations

Abstract

Summary Fragmentation of formerly continuous habitats can have significant consequences on subpopulations in isolated fragments. This study examined the temporal genetic consequences of historical river fragmentation by hydroelectric dams on lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817), using temporal samples from two Ontario river systems. Temporal genetic analyses of samples from the Ottawa (dammed) and Kenogami (unregulated) river systems were used to (1) compare changes in genetic structure and diversity within and between free-flowing and regulated systems; (2) assess how impoundments have influenced the spatial and temporal genetic structure and diversity within these contrasting systems; and (3) estimate effective population sizes (Ne) in both rivers using temporal genetic estimators. Levels of genetic diversity did not differ between impounded and free-flowing rivers, nor did genetic diversity differ through time within a river system. Levels of genetic divergence over time were similarly minimal. We did, however, detect a 65% decline in effective population size in the impounded Ottawa River over two generations. Moreover, over the same time period the Ottawa River had substantially lower Ne estimates for Lake Sturgeon than the free-flowing Kenogami River system. This study represents one of the first to observe genetic consequences of fragmentation on Lake Sturgeon. As such, this work reinforces the importance of maintaining or restoring habitat connectivity and availability for this migratory species, and mitigating other demographic threats that could compound, or be compounded by the effect of reduced genetic variation.