Genetic variation of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) populations in the Western Balkans

Marić, Saša (author), Kalamujić, Belma (author), Snoj, Aleš (author), Razpet, Andrej (author), Lukić-Bilela, Lada (author), Pojskić, Naris (author), Sušnik Bajec, Simona (author)

In order to elucidate genetic composition of European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) populations in the Western Balkans, the partial mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region was sequenced and 12 microsatellite loci genotyped in 14 populations originating from tributaries of the Adriatic and Danube drainages. Eleven mtDNA haplotypes were found, one confined to the Adriatic clade, one to the Alpine group and the rest to the "Balkan" grayling phylogenetic clade. Haplotypes from the Balkan clade were confined to the Danube drainage and constituted two groups:northern group with haplotypes found in the Slovenian part of the Danube drainage, and southern group, consisting from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. Substantial genetic distance between northern and southern groups of haplotypes (0.75-1.8%) and well supported divisions within the northern group indicate very structured grayling population within the studied Danube basin that most probably did not evolve due to variance but rather as a consequence of multiple conolization waves that might have occured during the Pleistocene. Furtermore, genetic distance of - 4% between Adriatic and Danube populations' haplotypes, suggest that their separation occured in mid-Pliocene. These findings implya complex colonization pattern of the Western Balkans drainages. Microsatellite data also confirm high genetic diversity in Western Balkans populations of grayling (on average 7.5 alleles per microsatellite locus and Hexp 0.58). Limited stocking activities were detected based on microsatellites and mtDNA data. Regarding current knowledge of grayling phylogeography appropriate management strategies were proposed to preserve unique, autchthonous grayling populations in Western Balkan.

• Language: English
• Keywords: molekularna genetika, ribe, lipan, Thymallus thymallus, genetska variabilnost, zahodni Balkan
• Work type: Not categorized
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Year: 2012
• Number of pages: Str. 225-237
• Numbering: Vol. 691, no. 1
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-36552
• UDC: 575
• ISSN on article: 0018-8158
• DOI: 10.1007/s10750-012-1076-2
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3027080
• Publication date in RUL: 10.07.2015

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Hydrobiologia
• Shortened title: Hydrobiologia
• Publisher: Junk
• ISSN: 0018-8158
• COBISS.SI-ID: 6141191