Spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) in the southwestern Baltic Sea: do they form genetically distinct spawning waves?

Abstract Temporal sampling within the spring-spawning season has revealed differentiation in length-at-age in herring at Rügen and differentiation in, e.g., Anisakis infestation rate, otolith microstructure, and gillraker counts in Gdańsk Bay, leading to the expectation that spawning waves consist of distinct herring populations. We tested this expectation by analysing genetic variation at nine microsatellite loci in samples collected at different times during the March to May spawning season in 2 consecutive years, 2002 and 2003. Length-at-age, mean length, and age distributions were compared among samples within locations but did not show consistent temporal patterns. Pairwise genetic differentiation among temporal samples within season was low and non-significant in the Gdańsk Bay (0 < FST < 0.0025) but higher among Rügen samples (0.0008 < FST < 0.0113). Samples from Rügen collected in 2002 differed significantly from each other, and individual assignment tests showed increased divergence with time. Differentiation was not confounded by effects of age class or sex. We conclude that spawning waves are not genetically differentiated among Gdańsk samples based on factors analysed in this study, whereas genetically distinct but sympatric spawning populations may be found at Rügen.

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Assessment of local genetic structure and connectivity of the common eelgrass Zostera marina for seagrass restoration in northern Europe

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13658 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 664 ◽

pp. 103-116

Author(s):

L Martínez-García ◽

B Hansson ◽

J Hollander

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Structure ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Baltic Sea ◽

Zostera Marina ◽

Anthropogenic Impacts ◽

Ecosystem Functions ◽

Long Distance ◽

Seagrass Meadows

Seagrass meadows are one of the most important habitats in coastal regions since they constitute a multifunctional ecosystem providing high productivity and biodiversity. They play a key role in carbon sequestration capacity, mitigation against coastal erosion and as nursery grounds for many marine fish and invertebrates. However, despite these ecosystem functions and services, seagrass meadows are a threatened ecosystem worldwide. In the Baltic Sea, seagrass meadows have declined rapidly, mainly because of eutrophication, anthropogenic activities and climate change. This decline has the potential to erode the genetic variation and genetic structure of the species. In this study, we assessed how genetic variation and genetic differentiation vary among Zostera marina meadows and with a number of environmental characteristics in the county of Scania in southern Sweden. A total of 205 individuals sampled at 12 locations were analysed with 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Results showed that in spite of anthropogenic impacts and climate change pressures, locations of Z. marina possessed high genetic variation and weak genetic differentiation, with 3 major genetic clusters. Long-distance dispersal and/or stepping-stone dispersal was found among locations, with higher migration rates within the west coast. Organic matter, salinity and maximum depth appeared to be factors most strongly associated with the genetic structure and morphological variation of Z. marina. These findings contribute significantly in the identification of potential donor sites and the viability of impacted areas to recover from natural recruitment, for the development of effective transplantation measures of Z. marina in the southern Baltic Sea and temperate regions elsewhere.

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Genetic variation within and relationships among five subpopulations of Slovak Thoroughbred

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica ◽

10.1556/avet.52.2004.3.2 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 259-265

Author(s):

Daniela Šátková-Jakabová ◽

J. Trandžík ◽

Ľudmila Hudecová-Kvasňáková ◽

Erika Hegedüšová-Zetochová ◽

A. Bugarský ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

International Society ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Allele Frequencies ◽

Weinberg Equilibrium ◽

Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium

Genetic variation at six microsatellite loci was analysed for five Thoroughbred subpopulations to determine the magnitude of genetic differentiation and the genetic relationships among the subpopulations. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were shown for a number of locus-population combinations, with all subpopulations. The genetic diversities and relationships of five Thoroughbred subpopulations were evaluated using six microsatellites recommended by the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG). The allele frequencies, the effective numbers of alleles, and the observed and expected heterozygosities were calculated. POPGENE v. 1.31 (Yeh et al., 1997) was used to test for deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg (H-W) equilibrium and to assign FIS estimates (Weir, 1990). The utility of microsatellites for evaluating genetic diversity of horses is discussed.

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Mixing of populations or year class twinning in Norwegian spring spawning herring?

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf04170 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 763 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Å. Husebø ◽

A. Slotte ◽

L. A. W. Clausen ◽

H. Mosegaard

Keyword(s):

North Sea ◽

Clupea Harengus ◽

Spawning Season ◽

Otolith Microstructure ◽

Recruitment Success ◽

Spawning Stock ◽

Wintering Areas ◽

Summer Feeding

In the present study, we question whether the mixing of autumn spawning herring with Norwegian spring spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) in feeding and wintering areas is a result of year class twinning, that is, that they hatched in spring as products of the spring spawning stock, but ended up spawning in autumn. The otolith microstructure of the summer feeding autumn spawners (July 2001) was similar to the wintering autumn spawners (January 2002), stable and low in comparison with the sympatric spring spawners caught in the same two seasons. Hence, the otolith microstructure of the analysed larval herring seemed representative of their own spawning season. Data from 1982 to 2003 demonstrated that the fraction of autumn spawners by year class has been quite low at 1–14%, but relatively high in some of the weak year classes, indicating a different recruitment success between the spawning groups. Length at age and somatic weight at length did not differ between the spawning groups. In comparison, the neighbour North Sea autumn spawning herring were significantly smaller at the same age.

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Tracing back the origin of pumpkins ( Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo L.) in Mexico

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2019.1440 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 286 (1908) ◽

pp. 20191440 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gabriela Castellanos-Morales ◽

Karen Y. Ruiz-Mondragón ◽

Helena S. Hernández-Rosales ◽

Guillermo Sánchez-de la Vega ◽

Niza Gámez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Approximate Bayesian Computation ◽

Cucurbita Pepo ◽

Improved Varieties ◽

Nuclear Microsatellite ◽

Well Differentiated ◽

Approximate Bayesian ◽

Chloroplast Haplotypes

Cucurbita pepo is an economically important crop, which consists of cultivated C. pepo ssp. pepo , and two wild taxa ( C. pepo ssp. fraterna and C. pepo ssp. ovifera ) . We aimed at understanding the domestication and the diversity of C. pepo in Mexico. We used two chloroplast regions and nine nuclear microsatellite loci to assess the levels of genetic variation and structure for C. pepo ssp. pepo 's landraces sampled in 13 locations in Mexico, five improved varieties, one C. pepo ssp. fraterna population and ornamental C. pepo ssp. ovifera . We tested four hypotheses regarding the origin of C. pepo ssp. pepo 's ancestor through approximate Bayesian computation: C. pepo ssp. ovifera as the ancestor; C. pepo ssp. fraterna as the ancestor; an unknown extinct lineage as the ancestor; and C. pepo ssp. pepo as hybrid from C. pepo ssp. ovifera and C. pepo ssp. fraterna ancestors. Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo showed high genetic variation and low genetic differentiation. Cucurbita pepo ssp. fraterna and C. pepo ssp. pepo shared two chloroplast haplotypes. The three subspecies were well differentiated for microsatellite loci. Cucurbita pepo ssp. fraterna was probably C. pepo ssp. pepo 's wild ancestor, but subsequent hybridization between taxa complicate defining C. pepo ssp. pepo 's ancestor.

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A combination of genetic and phenotypic characterization of spring- and autumn-spawning herring suggests gene flow between populations

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsaa046 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Florian Berg ◽

Hedda D Østgaard ◽

Aril Slotte ◽

Leif Andersson ◽

Arild Folkvord

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Life Histories ◽

Larval Growth ◽

Growth Patterns ◽

Clupea Harengus ◽

Spawning Season ◽

Phenotypic Characterization ◽

Otolith Microstructure ◽

Complex Population ◽

Population Structure And Dynamics

Abstract Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) has complex population structure and dynamics including diverse life histories and spawning times with spring and autumn spawning as the most common modes. Originally, spawning herring were phenotypically identified based on their maturity development or otolith microstructure by determining seasonal specific larval growth patterns. Recently, genetic markers have revealed clear genetic differentiation between spring- and autumn-spawning populations. All three methods were applied to herring caught at the same locations during spring and autumn to determine the coherence of methods. In a selected subset, most herring (∼77%) had an otolith microstructure and genetic assignment coinciding with the phenotypically assigned spawning season. Non-spawning herring (<5%) that were classified as belonging to the current spawning season using genotyping and otolith-typing were assigned as skipped spawners. For ∼8% of spawning herring, the genetic and otolith assignment contradicted the phenotypically assigned spawning season, characteristic of straying individuals. Otolith-typing contradicted the genetic and phenotypical assignment in ∼7% of the cases, potentially representing individuals reuniting back to the spawning season favoured by their genotype. Although the viability of offspring from these individuals remains undocumented, it is suggested that the observed switching of spawning season may contribute to gene flow between herring populations.

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Contrasting levels of genetic differentiation among putative neutral microsatellite loci in Atlantic herring Clupea harengus populations and the implications for assessing stock structure

Hydrobiologia ◽

10.1007/s10750-008-9350-z ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 606 (1) ◽

pp. 27-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Phillip C. Watts ◽

David O’Leary ◽

Mary C. Cross ◽

Jamie Coughlan ◽

Eileen Dillane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Clupea Harengus ◽

Stock Structure ◽

Atlantic Herring

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Contrasting levels of genetic differentiation among putative neutral microsatellite loci in Atlantic herring Clupea harengus populations and the implications for assessing stock structure

Challenges to Marine Ecosystems ◽

10.1007/978-1-4020-8808-7_2 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 27-33

Author(s):

Phillip C. Watts ◽

David O’Leary ◽

Mary C. Cross ◽

Jamie Coughlan ◽

Eileen Dillane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Clupea Harengus ◽

Stock Structure ◽

Atlantic Herring

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Assessing the relationship between height growth and molecular genetic variation in Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) provenances

10.1101/039818 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Charalambos Neophytou ◽

Anna-Maria Weisser ◽

Daniel Landwehr ◽

Muhidin Šeho ◽

Ulrich Kohnle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Pseudotsuga Menziesii ◽

Phenotypic Variation ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Variety Versus ◽

Height Growth ◽

Douglas Fir

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is a conifer tree native to western North America. In central Europe, it shows superior growth performance and is considered a suitable substitute for tree species impaired in vitality due to climate change. Maintenance and improvement of growth performance in a changing environment is a main challenge for forest tree breeders. In this context, genetic variation as a factor underlying phenotypic variation, but also as the basis for future adaptation, is of particular interest. The aims of this study were to analyse (i) genetic diversity of selected Douglas-fir provenances, (ii) variation in height growth among provenances, and (iii) to assess the link between genetic and phenotypic variation height growth. Genotyping was done on microsatellite loci. Effects of provenance, genotype, and site on height growth were assessed by fitting mixed linear models. The most significant genetic differentiation was observed between provenances of the coastal variety, versus a provenance of the interior variety originating from British Columbia. Although genetic differentiation among provenances of the coastal variety was lower, genetic structures within this variety were identified. Moreover, genetic diversity showed a latitudinal gradient with the southernmost provenances being more diverse, probably reflecting the species' evolutionary history. The modelling approach revealed that height growth differed significantly by provenance, site, and the interaction between site and provenance, demonstrating that height growth is under strong genetic control. Additionally, this analysis showed that genetic variation captured by the genotyped microsatellite loci was significantly related to variation in height growth, providing statistical evidence for a genetic component in the observed phenotypic variation.

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Genetic diversity in Tunisian horse breeds

Archives Animal Breeding ◽

10.5194/aab-60-153-2017 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 153-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bayrem Jemmali ◽

Mohamed Mezir Haddad ◽

Nawel Barhoumi ◽

Syrine Tounsi ◽

Faten Lasfer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Structure ◽

Genetic Differentiation ◽

Microsatellite Loci ◽

Genomic Dna ◽

Genetic Distances ◽

Jugular Veins ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Important Amount

Abstract. This study aimed at screening genetic diversity and differentiation in four horse breeds raised in Tunisia, the Barb, Arab-Barb, Arabian, and English Thoroughbred breeds. A total of 200 blood samples (50 for each breed) were collected from the jugular veins of animals, and genomic DNA was extracted. The analysis of the genetic structure was carried out using a panel of 16 microsatellite loci. Results showed that all studied microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all breeds. Overall, a total of 147 alleles were detected using the 16 microsatellite loci. The average number of alleles per locus was 7.52 (0.49), 7.35 (0.54), 6.3 (0.44), and 6 (0.38) for the Arab-Barb, Barb, Arabian, and English Thoroughbred breeds, respectively. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.63 (0.03) in the English Thoroughbred to 0.72 in the Arab-Barb breeds, whereas the expected heterozygosities were between 0.68 (0.02) in the English Thoroughbred and 0.73 in the Barb breeds. All FST values calculated by pairwise breed combinations were significantly different from zero (p  <  0.05) and an important genetic differentiation among breeds was revealed. Genetic distances, the factorial correspondence, and principal coordinate analyses showed that the important amount of genetic variation was within population. These results may facilitate conservation programs for the studied breeds and enhance preserve their genetic diversity.

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