Mitochondrial DNA diversity among four sympatric morphs of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L., from Thingvallavatn, Iceland

Abstract

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were examined in progeny of four sympatric morphs of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) from Thingvallavatn, Iceland. The mtDNA analysis with 46 hexanucleotide restriction enzymes indicates that the Thingvallavatn morphs are very closely related. Sequence divergence was less than 0.2% between any of the five clones detected. Although not significant, the topology of the mtDNA UPGMA dendogram was similar to that from a previous allozyme survey. Icelandic Arctic charr show greater affinity to charr from the British Isles than those from North America supporting their current taxonomic distinction.