scholarly journals Anthropogenic river fragmentation reduces long-term viability of the migratory fish Salminus brasiliensis (Characiformes: Bryconidae) populations

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiane Ribolli ◽  
Evoy Zaniboni-Filho ◽  
Carolina Barros Machado ◽  
Tailise Carolina de Souza Guerreiro ◽  
Patrícia Domingues de Freitas ◽  
...  

Abstract Life-history, geographical barriers, and damming can shape the genetic diversity of freshwater migratory fish, which are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts. We investigated the genetic diversity of Salminus brasiliensis, a long-distance migratory species that is recognized as an important provider of ecosystem services. We implemented microsatellite analyses to assess genetic diversity and simulate future scenarios for evaluating the long-term viability of dammed and non-dammed populations from the Uruguay River. High levels of genetic diversity were detected for all sampled populations. However, effective population sizes were lower in the uppermost river stretches, where the landscape is highly fragmented. Population structure analysis indicated two spatial genetic populations. It is suggested that this genetic structure preserves populations partially isolated by an ancient natural barrier, instead of being a result of the presence of dams. The simulated genetic scenarios indicated that genetic variability of S. brasiliensis populations from upstream dams could collapse over the years, mainly due to the reduction in the number of alleles. Therefore, besides helping to better understand issues related to the influence of dams on the genetic diversity of migratory fish, our results are especially relevant for driving local fishery policies and management actions for the species conservation.

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Martins Lopes ◽  
Fernanda Simões de Almeida ◽  
Mário Luís Orsi ◽  
Sandro Geraldo de Castro Britto ◽  
Rodolfo Nardez Sirol ◽  
...  

The aim of this study, utilizing RAPD techniques, was to determine the genetic variability of Salminus brasiliensis groups collected at passage ladders of the hydroelectric plants (HEP) Canoas I and Canoas II - Paranapanema River (Brazil), as well as to estimate the population structure through different parameters of genetic diversity. The data obtained allowed us to conclude that S. brasiliensis of the Canoas Complex has a moderate index of genetic variability ( > 42.00%) when compared to that of other migratory fish species. All genetic diversity analyses (distance = 0.015 and genetic identity = 0.985, F ST =0.018, AMOVA) were signs of low genetic differentiation, and they led to the clustering of S. brasiliensis from Canoas I and Canoas II. This suggests that the species is genetically structured as a single population. Some findings indicate that this population of S. brasiliensis comes from the Capivara Reservoir (Canoas I downstream), probably fed by the Tibagi and Cinzas Rivers. Literature data denote that after fish transposition by passage ladders of the Canoas Complex, the migratory species are not concluding the reproductive cycle. This mechanism, therefore, could be one more impact factor causing the depletion in downstream recruitment, which could in medium and long term be compromising the natural S. brasiliensis population in the middle Paranapanema River.


2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1916) ◽  
pp. 20191989 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Yates ◽  
E. Bowles ◽  
D. J. Fraser

Little empirical work in nature has quantified how wild populations with varying effective population sizes and genetic diversity perform when exposed to a gradient of ecologically important environmental conditions. To achieve this, juvenile brook trout from 12 isolated populations or closed metapopulations that differ substantially in population size and genetic diversity were transplanted to previously fishless ponds spanning a wide gradient of ecologically important variables. We evaluated the effect of genome-wide variation, effective population size ( N e ), pond habitat, and initial body size on two fitness correlates (survival and growth). Genetic variables had no effect on either fitness correlate, which was determined primarily by habitat (pond temperature, depth, and pH) and initial body size. These results suggest that some vertebrate populations with low genomic diversity, low N e , and long-term isolation can represent important sources of variation and are capable of maintaining fitness in, and ultimately persisting and adapting to, changing environments. Our results also reinforce the paramount importance of improving available habitat and slowing habitat degradation for species conservation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily J. Miller ◽  
Mark D. B. Eldridge ◽  
Keith Morris ◽  
Neil Thomas ◽  
Catherine A. Herbert

The endemic Australian greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is a vulnerable and iconic species. It has declined significantly due to habitat loss, as well as competition and predation from introduced species. Conservation measures include a National Recovery Plan that incorporates several captive breeding programs. Two of these programs were established within 12 months of one another (1997/98), with the same number and sex ratio of founding individuals, but executed different breeding strategies: (1) unmanipulated mating in semi–free range natural habitat versus (2) minimising mean kinship in large enclosures, with the supplementation of new individuals into both populations. This study evaluates the long-term genetic impact of these programs and examines the congruency between the pedigree studbook estimates of diversity and molecular data. Our data demonstrate that genetic diversity was maintained in both populations, with the supplementation of new individuals contributing to the gene pool. The studbook estimates of diversity and inbreeding are not consistent with the microsatellite data and should not solely be relied upon to evaluate the genetic health of captive populations. Our analyses suggest that captive breeding programs may not require costly and intensive management to effectively maintain long-term genetic diversity in a promiscuous species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Lester ◽  
Heather M. McGinness ◽  
Amina E. Price ◽  
Ashley Macqueen ◽  
N. LeRoy Poff ◽  
...  

Environmental watering is frequently used to achieve specific ecological objectives, such as triggering spawning or seed germination. These short-term objectives are often met, but longer-term objectives, such as population growth, may not be, especially where multiple hydrological and non-hydrological factors influence success. We propose a framework to identify these factors in space and time. Our framework steps users through identifying possible inhibiting (strictures) and supporting (promoters) factors, and placing these factors in their spatial and temporal context. This allows users to identify potential limiting factors that may require additional intervention, or render the original watering action unsustainable. We illustrate the framework with examples of a floodplain tree (black box, Eucalyptus largiflorens), colonial nesting waterbird (royal spoonbill, Platalea regia) and large-bodied migratory fish (golden perch, Macquaria ambigua). The framework explores strictures and promoters for major life-history stages, emphasising the need to support and protect all stages if objectives include population maintenance or growth. In this way, the framework can document existing mental models and can be used as the basis of a risk portfolio, a prioritisation tool or future quantitative models. Thus, the framework enables individual management actions to be better grounded in a broader context, increasing the likelihood of achieving long-term ecological objectives.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (12) ◽  
pp. 2142-2152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana A. Semerikova ◽  
Martin Lascoux ◽  
Vladimir L. Semerikov

The genus Abies is one of the largest conifer genera and many of the marginal species remain poorly characterized. Abies semenovii B. Fedtsch. is a rare mountain fir species from central Asia, and its species status is still disputed. We used both nuclear (allozymes and AFLP) and chloroplastic (cpSSR) markers to show that A. semenovii deserves to be considered as a species and that its low genetic diversity justifies more a proactive conservation policy. First, A. semenovii was significantly differentiated from the Siberian fir Abies sibirica Ledeb. and we did not detect gene flow between the two species. Second, A. semenovii has a very low nuclear genetic diversity, suggesting a prolonged restricted effective population size. Abies semenovii had low cpSSR diversity too but the identification of seven closely related haplotypes suggests that these mutations accumulated recently during a phase of population expansion. This agrees well with the palynological record and is in contrast with the situation observed in another rare Eurasian fir endemic to Kamchatka, Abies gracilis Kom., which was devoid of variation in cpSSRs but that also had a more substantial nuclear marker diversity than A. semenovii, thereby suggesting a more recent but less severe population bottleneck.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isra Deblauwe ◽  
Katrien De Wolf ◽  
Jacobus De Witte ◽  
Anna Schneider ◽  
Ingrid Verlé ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Invasive mosquito species (IMS) and their associated mosquito-borne diseases are emerging in Europe. In Belgium, the first detection of Aedes albopictus occurred in 2000 and of Aedes japonicus in 2002. Early detection and control of these IMS at points of entry (PoE’s) are of paramount importance to slow down any possible establishment. This paper gives an account of the IMS surveillance in Belgium between 2007 and 2020 and reviews the introductions and establishments recorded in that period.Methods: In total 52 PoE’s were monitored at least once for the presence of IMS between 2007 and 2020. These included used tyre and lucky bamboo import companies, airports, ports, parking lots along highways, shelters for imported cutting plants, wholesale markets, industrial areas, recycling areas, and cemeteries and an allotment garden at the country border with colonised areas. In general, monitoring was performed between April and November. Mosquitoes were captured with adult and oviposition traps, as well as by larval sampling. A logistic regression was performed to investigate the percentage of positive PoE’s for Ae. albopictus over the years. Results: Aedes albopictus has been detected at ten PoE’s, Ae. japonicus at three PoE’s and Aedes koreicus at two PoE’s. The latter two species have established overwintering populations. The percentage of PoE’s positive for Ae. albopictus increased significantly over time. Aedes albopictus is currently entering Belgium through lucky bamboo trade, used tyre trade and passive ground transport, while Ae. japonicus only through the latter two pathways. In Belgium, the import through passive ground transport was first recorded in 2018 and its importance seems to grow.Conclusion: Belgium is currently at the invasion front of Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus. The surveillance and control management actions at well-known PoE‘s associated to long-distance introductions are more straightforward than at less-defined PoE’s associated with short-distance introductions from colonised areas. These latter PoE’s represent a new challenge for IMS management in Belgium in the coming years and stresses the urgence of implementing a sustainable, structured and long-term IMS management programme, integrating active and passive surveillance and control.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vania E. Rivera-León ◽  
Jorge Urbán ◽  
Sally Mizroch ◽  
Robert L. Brownell ◽  
Tom Oosting ◽  
...  

AoB Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda R Silva ◽  
Luciana C Resende-Moreira ◽  
Carolina S Carvalho ◽  
Eder C M Lanes ◽  
Mabel P Ortiz-Vera ◽  
...  

Abstract Conserving genetic diversity in rare and narrowly distributed endemic species is essential to maintain their evolutionary potential and minimize extinction risk under future environmental change. In this study we assess neutral and adaptive genetic structure and genetic diversity in Brasilianthus carajensis (Melastomataceae), an endemic herb from Amazonian Savannas. Using RAD sequencing we identified a total of 9365 SNPs in 150 individuals collected across the species’ entire distribution range. Relying on assumption-free genetic clustering methods and environmental association tests we then compared neutral with adaptive genetic structure. We found three neutral and six adaptive genetic clusters, which could be considered management units (MU) and adaptive units (AU), respectively. Pairwise genetic differentiation (FST) ranged between 0.024 and 0.048, and even though effective population sizes were below 100, no significant inbreeding was found in any inferred cluster. Nearly 10 % of all analysed sequences contained loci associated with temperature and precipitation, from which only 25 sequences contained annotated proteins, with some of them being very relevant for physiological processes in plants. Our findings provide a detailed insight into genetic diversity, neutral and adaptive genetic structure in a rare endemic herb, which can help guide conservation and management actions to avoid the loss of unique genetic variation.


Author(s):  
Mikael Åkesson ◽  
Øystein Flagstad ◽  
Jouni Aspi ◽  
Ilpo Kojola ◽  
Olof Liberg ◽  
...  

AbstractTransboundary connectivity is a key component when conserving and managing animal species that require large areas to maintain viable population sizes. Wolves Canis lupus recolonized the Scandinavian Peninsula in the early 1980s. The population is geographically isolated and relies on immigration to not lose genetic diversity and to maintain long term viability. In this study we address (1) to what extent the genetic diversity among Scandinavian wolves has recovered during 30 years since its foundation in relation to the source populations in Finland and Russia, (2) if immigration has occurred from both Finland and Russia, two countries with very different wolf management and legislative obligations to ensure long term viability of wolves, and (3) if immigrants can be assumed to be unrelated. Using 26 microsatellite loci we found that although the genetic diversity increased among Scandinavian wolves (n = 143), it has not reached the same levels found in Finland (n = 25) or in Russia (n = 19). Low genetic differentiation between Finnish and Russian wolves, complicated our ability to determine the origin of immigrant wolves (n = 20) with respect to nationality. Nevertheless, based on differences in allelic richness and private allelic richness between the two countries, results supported the occurrence of immigration from both countries. A priori assumptions that immigrants are unrelated is non-advisable, since 5.8% of the pair-wise analyzed immigrants were closely related. To maintain long term viability of wolves in Northern Europe, this study highlights the potential and need for management actions that facilitate transboundary dispersal.


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