Genetic diversity of endangered Chondrostoma nasus in the River Rhine system: Conservation genetics considerations on stocking and reintroduction

Wetjen, Maj; Hübner, Dirk; Seehausen, Ole; Schulz, Ralf (2020). Genetic diversity of endangered Chondrostoma nasus in the River Rhine system: Conservation genetics considerations on stocking and reintroduction. Knowledge & Management of Aquatic Ecosystems(421), p. 25. EDP Sciences 10.1051/kmae/2020016

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Reintroduction, stocking and translocation of freshwater fish are of growing concern given
their importance for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning. For successful management and stocking programmes, it is essential to incorporate genetics-based approaches. The nase (Chondrostoma nasus) constituted one of the most common fish species in European rivers. Its highly specialised and migratory nature exposed the species to human pressures, and thus, promoted its decline. Current knowledge of the genetic structure of C. nasus is considerably limited for Europe as a whole and for
Germany specifically. To overcome this lack of information we present original data on C. nasus from different tributaries of the River Rhine.We analysed nine microsatellite markers and mtDNA Cytochrome b sequences to assess the distribution of genetic diversity and structure of this species across the study area. With the exception of the Lake Constance/Alpine Rhine population, C. nasus exhibited high gene flow within the Rhine system, and therefore, limited geographical genetic differences between populations where migration is not prevented by human intervention. The present study provides new insights into the levels of genetic variability of C. nasus in the Rhine system, providing useful information for guiding reintroduction and stocking programmes. Population genetic information will improve future preservation and management of this valuable freshwater fish species in Germany and beyond.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

08 Faculty of Science > Department of Biology > Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE)
08 Faculty of Science > Department of Biology > Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IEE) > Aquatic Ecology

UniBE Contributor:

Seehausen, Ole

Subjects:

500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology

ISSN:

1961-9502

Publisher:

EDP Sciences

Language:

English

Submitter:

Marcel Häsler

Date Deposited:

18 Sep 2020 10:30

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 15:40

Publisher DOI:

10.1051/kmae/2020016

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.146580

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/146580

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