scholarly journals Genetic Diversity of the Surubim-Do-Iguaçu, a Giant Catfish Species Threatened with Extinction: Recommendations for Species Conservation

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Lenice Souza-Shibatta ◽  
Dhiego G. Ferreira ◽  
Lucileine de Assumpção ◽  
Oscar A. Shibatta ◽  
Silvia H. Sofia ◽  
...  

Steindachneridion melanodermatum is the largest catfish of the Lower Iguaçu River and is endangered due to the habitat fragmentation caused by dams. Currently, the wild population’s last refuge is restricted to an area of 190 km. This study presents the first analysis of its genetic diversity and population structure, using microsatellite loci and mtDNA. The population has an adequate level of genetic diversity, but signs of a recent bottleneck were observed. The Baixo Iguaçu Hydroelectric Power Plant has recently fragmented the population and threatened it with extinction in a reduced area of nearly 30 km. Based on our results, we strongly advise against the stocking of breeding specimens below the Salto Caxias HPP to not compromise the integrity of the native gene pools at the receptor sites. In addition, we recommend manual fish transposition, trap-and-haul, to maintain the genetic connectivity of individuals upstream and downstream of the dam as a conservation strategy. Furthermore, studies on behavior and swimming capacities, and suitable fishways for this species must be developed. We strongly recommend that the Lower Iguaçu River and its tributaries be protected and preserved as free from additional barriers to prevent future habitat disruption for the benefit of S. melanodermatum and several other endemic and endangered species.

ZooKeys ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1041 ◽  
pp. 183-203
Author(s):  
Suelen Fernanda Ranucci Pini ◽  
Maristela Cavicchioli Makrakis ◽  
Mayara Pereira Neves ◽  
Sergio Makrakis ◽  
Oscar Akio Shibatta ◽  
...  

The fish fauna from the Lower Iguaçu River and tributaries upstream of the Iguaçu Falls, the last free-flowing river stretch, were investigated. Twenty five sites in tributaries and the main channel were sampled between 2010 and 2016 using several kinds of fishing gear. The species were categorized according to their size, origin, and conservation status. Species richness and abundance in the main channel and tributaries were compared. In total, 87,702 specimens were recorded, comprising 76 species, 25 families, 53 genera, and eight orders. Characiformes and Siluriformes were the richest orders, representing 92% of the total specimens; Characidae, Cichlidae, Pimelodidae, and Loricariidae were the richest families. The fish fauna was composed of small and medium-sized species and included endemic (42%), autochthonous (24%), allochthonous (21%), and exotic (9%) species, as well as hybrids (4%). Significant differences in the relative numerical abundance of species were found among sites. Ancistrus mullerae and Rhamdia branneri (endemic) were indicator species for tributaries inside of Iguaçu National Park (INP), while Phalloceros harpagos (autochthonous) and Ictalurus punctatus (exotic) for tributaries outside of INP and Odontesthes bonariensis (allochthonous) for the main channel. The last dam-free stretch of the Lower Iguaçu River and tributaries upstream the Iguaçu Falls exhibits a rich endemic fish fauna, including some rare, endangered species (Steindachneridion melanodermatum, Gymnogeophagus taroba, and Psalidodon gymnogenys). These findings are essential to predict and understand the effects caused by the new Baixo Iguaçu Hydroelectric Power Plant and highlight the importance of tributaries and Iguaçu National Park for conservation of endemic species.


2017 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zong ◽  
Ping Sun ◽  
Xiaoyan Yue ◽  
Qingfeng Niu ◽  
Yuanwen Teng

Pyrus betulaefolia is one of the most popular pear (Pyrus) rootstocks in China and other east Asian countries because of its good adaptability to versatile environments. However, the number of wild P. betulaefolia populations is decreasing because of habitat destruction and fragmentation. An urgent evaluation of P. betulaefolia genetic diversity and population structure is necessary to develop a conservation strategy for this important wild species. Thirteen simple sequence repeat loci were detected to infer the genetic composition of 18 P. betulaefolia populations in northern China. The average number of different alleles for each locus was 7.1. The number of effective alleles among loci ranged from 1.77 to 5.94. The overall mean values of expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.702 and 0.687, respectively. The Taihang Mountains, which run from northeast to southwest, acted as natural boundary in shaping the genetic diversity of P. betulaefolia in northern China. The distinct pattern, which was also observed in the distribution of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) variation, appeared to be obscured by pollen-mediated gene flow in the distribution of nuclear microsatellite variation. Large populations with high allelic richness (e.g., populations BT, ZN, and QS) are considered suitable for in situ conservation because of the potential for adaptation to future environmental change. The smaller populations had mixed gene pools (e.g., populations GQ and XF) and should therefore also be considered for ex situ conservation. Preserving genetic diversity in seeds was proposed when field collections are fully characterized.


2002 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 989-994
Author(s):  
Shinichiro Endo ◽  
Masami Konishi ◽  
Hirosuke Imabayashi ◽  
Hayami Sugiyama

Rice ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-ling Hour ◽  
Wei-hsun Hsieh ◽  
Su-huang Chang ◽  
Yong-pei Wu ◽  
Han-shiuan Chin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rice, the most important crop in Asia, has been cultivated in Taiwan for more than 5000 years. The landraces preserved by indigenous peoples and brought by immigrants from China hundreds of years ago exhibit large variation in morphology, implying that they comprise rich genetic resources. Breeding goals according to the preferences of farmers, consumers and government policies also alter gene pools and genetic diversity of improved varieties. To unveil how genetic diversity is affected by natural, farmers’, and breeders’ selections is crucial for germplasm conservation and crop improvement. Results A diversity panel of 148 rice accessions, including 47 cultivars and 59 landraces from Taiwan and 42 accessions from other countries, were genotyped by using 75 molecular markers that revealed an average of 12.7 alleles per locus with mean polymorphism information content of 0.72. These accessions could be grouped into five subpopulations corresponding to wild rice, japonica landraces, indica landraces, indica cultivars, and japonica cultivars. The genetic diversity within subpopulations was: wild rices > landraces > cultivars; and indica rice > japonica rice. Despite having less variation among cultivars, japonica landraces had greater genetic variation than indica landraces because the majority of Taiwanese japonica landraces preserved by indigenous peoples were classified as tropical japonica. Two major clusters of indica landraces were formed by phylogenetic analysis, in accordance with immigration from two origins. Genetic erosion had occurred in later japonica varieties due to a narrow selection of germplasm being incorporated into breeding programs for premium grain quality. Genetic differentiation between early and late cultivars was significant in japonica (FST = 0.3751) but not in indica (FST = 0.0045), indicating effects of different breeding goals on modern germplasm. Indigenous landraces with unique intermediate and admixed genetic backgrounds were untapped, representing valuable resources for rice breeding. Conclusions The genetic diversity of improved rice varieties has been substantially shaped by breeding goals, leading to differentiation between indica and japonica cultivars. Taiwanese landraces with different origins possess various and unique genetic backgrounds. Taiwanese rice germplasm provides diverse genetic variation for association mapping to unveil useful genes and is a precious genetic reservoir for rice improvement.


Author(s):  
Michal Kuchar ◽  
Adam Peichl ◽  
Milan Kucera ◽  
Jaromir Fiser ◽  
Pavel Kulik ◽  
...  

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.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Marlien M. van der Merwe ◽  
Jia-Yee S. Yap ◽  
Peter D. Wilson ◽  
Helen T. Murphy ◽  
Andrew Ford

Maximising genetic diversity in conservation efforts can help to increase the chances of survival of a species amidst the turbulence of the anthropogenic age. Here, we define the distribution and extent of genomic diversity across the range of the iconic but threatened Acacia purpureopetala, a beautiful sprawling shrub with mauve flowers, restricted to a few disjunct populations in far north Queensland, Australia. Seed production is poor and germination sporadic, but the species occurs in abundance at some field sites. While several thousands of SNP markers were recovered, comparable to other Acacia species, very low levels of heterozygosity and allelic variation suggested inbreeding. Limited dispersal most likely contributed towards the high levels of divergence amongst field sites and, using a generalised dissimilarity modelling framework amongst environmental, spatial and floristic data, spatial distance was found to be the strongest factor explaining the current distribution of genetic diversity. We illustrate how population genomic data can be utilised to design a collecting strategy for a germplasm conservation collection that optimises genetic diversity. For this species, inclusion of all field sites will capture maximum genetic diversity for both in situ and ex situ conservation. Assisted cross pollination, within and between field sites and genetically structured groups, is recommended to enhance heterozygosity particularly at the most disjunct sites and further fragmentation should be discouraged to avoid loss of genetic connectivity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Korczyński ◽  
Ewa Krasicka-Korczyńska

Abstract Cypripedium calceolus is considered an endangered species in the territory of Poland. Population of this rare species, situated at Lake Kwiecko (Western Pomerania), was regularly monitored in the years 1986-2013. The studied population has been under the permanent influence of the nearby hydroelectric power plant for almost 45 years. The field observations showed that the power plant had no negative impact on the condition of Cypripedium calceolus population. An indication of its good condition was, among others, an increase in the size - from 150 to 350 specimens within the study period.


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