Abstract
The phylogeographic structure of vairone (Telestes muticellus), a primary freshwater fish endangered in a large part of its distributional range, was assessed: (i) to reconstruct the complex dispersion pattern in the upper Tyrrhenian hydrographic basins of Ligury, actually not recognised as peri-Mediterranean ichthyogeographic district, and (ii) to evidence the shape of population genetic structure as useful tool for future conservation strategies. A partial fragment of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (497 bp) was sequenced in 109 specimens sampled from eight populations, along an east–west geographic gradient. Fourteen haplotypes were identified, confirming the evolutionary distance between the two co-generic species: T. muticellus as ‘Ligurian’ clade and T. souffia as ‘French’ clade. The Nested Clade Analysis (NCA), the population genetic variability and population structure suggested a natural colonization occurred throughout the crossing of Alpine and Apennine watershed. The hierarchical Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) confirmed a geographic distinction between the populations from western (WTL) and from eastern (ETL) Tyrrhenian basins of Ligury colonised through the river capture processes along the Maritime Alpine watershed (Padano-Venetian district) and along the Apennine watershed (Tuscano-Latium district), respectively. Our results, evidencing the lack of genetic contiguity among vairone populations of the upper Tyrrhenian hydrographic basins of Ligury, allowed to recognise the presence of two management units (MUs) for its conservation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.