中国东部沿海中小型河流鱼类的整体遗传多样性评价——以曹娥江为例

研究将曹娥江作为东部沿海中小型河流代表, 基于线粒体细胞色素b基因(Cyt b)分子标记对其鱼类的整体遗传多样性水平进行了评估。结果表明, 21个种26个群体鱼类Cyt b基因的单倍型多样性指数(h)和核苷酸多样性指数(π)水平分别为0.074—0.987和0.00019—0.00520, 物种间遗传多样性水平差异较大; 比较不同江段鱼类遗传多样性水平发现, 曹娥江鱼类的单倍型多样性指数水平从河口到中下游再到上游逐渐降低(P<0.05)。比较同一物种的遗传多样性水平发现, 曹娥江鱼类的核苷酸多样性指数水平低于长江、珠江等大型河流鱼类的相应指数水平(P<0.05), 提示曹娥江鱼类的整体遗传多样性处于中等偏下水平, 鱼类资源亟需科学的保护和修复。进一步分析人为扰动因素对曹娥江鱼类遗传多样性水平的影响发现, 敏感型鱼类的单倍型多样性指数水平显著低于中等耐受型鱼类(P<0.05); 麦穗鱼(Pseudorasbora parva)、光泽黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus nitidus)和刺鳅(Mastacembelus aculeatus)3种鱼类的上游镜岭群体单倍型多样性指数和核苷酸多样性指数水平均低于其中游仙岩群体的相应指数水平。结果提示, 水体污染、过度捕捞可能是造成目前曹娥江鱼类遗传多样性水平较低的主要原因。研究结果将为曹娥江乃至东部中小河流的鱼类资源的管理、保护和开发利用提供重要的理论依据。     

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure for the Conservation of Giant Spiny Frog(Quasipaa spinosa) Using Microsatellite Loci and Mitochondrial DNA

The giant spiny frog(Quasipaa spinosa) is an endangered species with a relatively small distribution limited to southern China and Northern Vietnam. This species is becoming increasingly threatened because of over-exploitation and habitat degradation. This study provides data on the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of the giant spiny frog to facilitate the further development of effective conservation recommendations for this economically important but threatened species. We examined 10 species-specific microsatellite loci and Cyt b genes(562 bp) collected from 13 wild populations across the entire range of this species. Results of 10 microsatellite loci analysis showed a generally high level of genetic diversity. Moreover, the genetic differentiation among all 12 populations was moderate to large(overall F_(ST) = 0.1057). A total of 51 haplotypes were identified for Cyt b, which suggests high haplotype nucleotide diversities. Phylogeographic and population structure analyses using both DNA markers suggested that the wild giant spiny frog can be divided into four distinct major clades, i.e., Northern Vietnam, Western China, Central China, and Eastern China. The clades with significant genetic divergence are reproductively isolated, as evidenced by a high number of private alleles and strong incidence of failed amplification in microsatellite loci. Our research, coupled with other studies, suggests that Q. spinosa might be a species complex within which no detectable morphological variation has been revealed. The four phylogenetic clades and some subclades with distinct geographical distribution should be regarded as independent management units for conservation purposes.     

Genetic Variation Analysis of Mugil cephalus in China Sea Based on Mitochondrial COI Gene Sequences

In this study, genetic diversity and population genetic structure of flathead grey mullet, Mugil cephalus, among four China Sea populations were investigated by COI sequences. All the populations studied had high values of haplotype and nucleotide diversity, except for the Yellow Sea population. In the phylogenetic tree, these haplotypes clustered in two groups, one for the populations from the Bohai and East China seas, and the other from the Yellow and South China seas. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that the northern populations (Bohai and East China) had lower genetic divergence (0.0725, P > 0.05) than that of the southern population (South China) (0.4530-0.6827, P < 0.001), suggesting that two distinct genetic groups exist in Chinese waters. Tests of neutral evolution and mismatch distribution indicated that no historical demographic expansion occurred in these populations. The results provide new information for genetic assessment, fishery management, and conservation of this species.     

利用ITS1和Cyt b位点的DNA单链空间构型多样性研究黑脚硬蜱的种群结构

黑脚硬蜱 (Ixodesscapularis)是莱姆病的主要传毒媒介。本文利用从 12个不同地点采集的 85 3个样本 ,采用DNA单连构型多样性的分子技术 (DNAsinglestrandconformationpolymorphisms)对黑脚硬蜱的种群结构进行了分析。线粒体细胞色素b (Cytb)和核糖体rRNA基因的内部转录空间ITS1被用为种群目标分子标记位点。在Cytb位点上 ,总共发现 7个单倍基因型。在ITS1位点上 ,共发现 13个基因型。基因型频率分析结果显示 ,沿美国东海岸分布的黑脚硬蜱隶属于两个不同的南北种群 ,但是基因流在地理区域间频繁发生。尽管蜱自身的迁徙扩散能力有限 ,但地理区域内个体间的遗传变异程度仍然较大 ,这可能与黑脚硬蜱寄主动物的频繁迁移有关。另外 ,本研究资料显示 ,南方种群的遗传变异程度明显大于北方种群     

Merging and comparing three mitochondrial markers for phylogenetic studies of Eurasian reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)

Phylogenetic analyses provide information that can be useful in the conservation of genetic variation by identifying intraspecific genetic structure. Reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships requires the use of markers with the appropriate amount of variation relative to the timeframe and purpose of the study. Here, genetic structure and clustering are inferred from comparative analyses of three widely used mitochondrial markers, the CR, cytb and the COI region, merged and separately, using Eurasian reindeer as a model. A Bayesian phylogeny and a MJ network, both based on the merged dataset, indicate several distinct maternal haplotype clusters within Eurasian reindeer. In addition to confirm previously described clusters, two new subclusters were found. When comparing the results from the merged dataset with the results from analyses of the three markers separately, similar clustering was found in the CR and COI phylogenies, whereas the cytb region showed poor resolution. Phylogenetic analyses of the merged dataset and the CR revealed congruent results, implying that single sequencing analysis of the CR is an applicable method for studying the haplotype structure in Eurasian reindeer.     

基于线粒体Cyt b基因的龙头鱼群体遗传结构分析

在我国黄海、东海和南海海岸带上, 选取青岛、南通、舟山、三门、宁德、泉州和湛江共7个群体164尾龙头鱼(Harpadon nehereus)为研究对象, 通过PCR扩增共获得长度为1112 bp的线粒体DNA细胞色素b (Cyt b)基因序列, 共检测到32个变异位点, 其中单变异位点27个, 简约信息位点1个。164条序列定义了29个单倍型, 平均单倍型多样性(H_d)和核苷酸多样性(π)分别为0.3026±0.0479和0.000371±0.000379, 其中泉州群体的单倍型多样性和核苷酸多样性均最低。分析比较了不同龙头鱼群体间遗传变异情况, 发现群体间平均遗传距离为0.00035, 遗传分化指数F_ST值均小于0.05, 群体间没有发生明显的遗传分化。AMOVA分析结果显示龙头鱼群体遗传差异主要来源于群体内个体间的变异。中性检验的Tajima’s D和Fu’s F_s统计值均为负值且显著偏离中性, 核苷酸不配对分布图呈现明显的单峰分布, 表明龙头鱼历史上经历了群体扩张事件, 参考已知海洋鱼类Cyt b基因2%每百万年的进化速率, 估算群体扩张发生的时间大约在0.08—0.32百万年前的第四纪更新世中晚期。     

Genetic Evidence for Multiple Sources of the Non-Native Fish Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther; Mayan Cichlids) in Southern Florida

The number and diversity of source populations may influence the genetic diversity of newly introduced populations and affect the likelihood of their establishment and spread. We used the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene and nuclear microsatellite loci to identify the sources of a successful invader in southern Florida, USA, Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Mayan cichlid). Our cytochrome b data supported an introduction from Guatemala, while our microsatellite data suggested movement of Mayan Cichlids from the upper Yucatán Peninsula to Guatemala and introductions from Guatemala and Belize to Florida. The mismatch between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes suggests admixture of a female lineage from Guatemala, where all individuals were fixed for the mitochondrial haplotype found in the introduced population, and a more diverse but also relatively small number of individuals from Belize. The Florida cytochrome b haplotype appears to be absent from Belize (0 out of 136 fish screened from Belize had this haplotype). Genetic structure within the Florida population was minimal, indicating a panmictic population, while Mexican and Central American samples displayed more genetic subdivision. Individuals from the Upper Yucatán Peninsula and the Petén region of Guatemala were more genetically similar to each other than to fish from nearby sites and movement of Mayan Cichlids between these regions occurred thousands of generations ago, suggestive of pre-Columbian human transportation of Mayan Cichlids through this region. Mayan Cichlids present a rare example of cytonuclear disequilibrium and reduced genetic diversity in the introduced population that persists more than 30 years (at least 7–8 generations) after introduction. We suggest that hybridization occurred in ornamental fish farms in Florida and may contribute their establishment in the novel habitat. Hybridization prior to release may contribute to other successful invasions.     

基于线粒体COI基因序列的大豆食心虫中国东北地理种群遗传多样性分析

【目的】大豆食心虫Leguminivora glycinivorella (Matsumura)是一种危害大豆的主要害虫,在中国北方地区危害较重。本研究旨在探讨大豆食心虫在中国东北不同地理种群间的遗传变异。【方法】测定了10个不同地理种群153个个体的线粒体细胞色素氧化酶亚基Ⅰ (mtCOI)基因的657 bp序列,利用DnaSP 5. 0和Arlequin 3. 5. 1. 2等软件对大豆食心虫种群间的遗传多样性、基因流水平和分子变异进行分析。【结果】结果表明：10个地理种群间的COI基因共有36个变异位点和17个单倍型,其中1个单倍型为10个种群所共享。总种群的单倍型多样性指数Hd为0.456,各地理种群单倍型多样度范围在0~0.634之间。总群体的固定系数Fst为0.12545,遗传分化系数Gst为0.06326,总基因流Nm为3.49,且各种群间的基因流均大于1,种群间基因交流的水平较高。【结论】大豆食心虫种群内遗传多样性水平处于中低等水平。总群体和各种群的Tajima’s D检验结果皆不显著,说明中国东北地区大豆食心虫在较近的历史时期内没有出现种群扩张现象。AMOVA分子变异分析结果表明,大豆食心虫的遗传分化主要来自种群内部,而种群间未发生明显的遗传分化。各地理种群的单倍型在系统发育树上和中介网络图上散布在不同的分布群中,缺乏明显的地理分布格局。各种群的遗传距离与地理距离之间没有显著线性相关性,种群间的基因交流并未受到地理距离的影响。     

岩原鲤遗传多样性和种群历史动态研究

研究基于线粒体DNA细胞色素b (mtDNA Cyt b)基因序列, 对2013—2017年间采自我国长江上游贵州省赤水市和重庆市万州区共161尾岩原鲤(Procypris rabaudi)个体进行了遗传多样性分析。结果表明, 在所有个体序列中, A、T、C、G碱基的平均含量分别为30.2%、27.9%、28.2%和13.7%, (A+T)含量(58.1%)明显大于(G+C)含量(41.9%), 表现出较强的反G偏倚性。161条序列检测到18个变异位点, 定义了15种单倍型, 整体单倍型多样性指数(H_d)、核苷酸多样性指数(P_i)分别为0.590、0.00132; 岩原鲤赤水群体遗传多样性水平低于万州群体; 万州群体的单倍型多样性和核苷酸多样性均呈现逐年降低的趋势, 但是赤水群体的单倍型多样性和核苷酸多样性呈现逐年增加的趋势。基于最大似然法构建的系统发育树和单倍型网络图结果一致, 万州和赤水群体并未形成明显的地理分布格局。Mega 6.0软件计算2个群体之间的遗传距离为0.001。F_st值统计表明, 2个地理群体间F_st值为0.01749 (P>0.05), 群体间没有出现遗传分化现象。两群体间基因交流频繁, 基因流N_m=24.71。分子方差分析(Analysis of Molecular Variance, AMOVA)显示: 98.25%的遗传变异是由群体内产生的。中性检验结果表明万州岩原鲤群体历史上曾发生过种群扩张事件, 时间约为0.15百万年前。岩原鲤群体整体上遗传多样性偏低, 急需提出合理的管理措施, 以加强长江流域岩原鲤物种的资源保护。     

Mitochondrial and nuclear markers reveal a lack of genetic structure in the entocommensal nemertean Malacobdella arrokeana in the Patagonian gulfs

Malacobdella arrokeana is an entocommensal nemertean exclusively found in the bivalve geoduck Panopea abbreviata, and it is the only representative of the genus in the southern hemisphere. To characterize its genetic diversity, population structure and recent demographic history, we conducted the first genetic survey on this species, using sequence data for the cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI), 16S rRNA (16S) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2). Only four different ITS2 genotypes were found in the whole sample, and the two main haplotypes identified in the mitochondrial dataset were present among all localities with a diversity ranging from 0.583 to 0.939. Nucleotide diversity was low (π = 0.001–0.002). No significant genetic structure was detected between populations, and mismatch distribution patterns and neutrality tests results are consistent with a population in expansion or under selection. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that the largest level of variance observed was due to intrapopulation variation (100, 100 and 94.39 % for 16S, COI and ITS2, respectively). F _st values were also non-significant. The observed lack of population structure is likely due to high levels of genetic connectivity in combination with the lack or permeability of biogeographic barriers and episodes of habitat modification.     

Genetic structure of desert ground squirrels over a 20-degree-latitude transect from Oregon through the Baja California peninsula

The genetic structure of populations over a wide geographical area should reflect the demographic and evolutionary processes that have shaped a species across its range. We examined the population genetic structure of antelope ground squirrels (Ammospermophilus leucurus) across the complex of North American deserts from the Great Basin of Oregon to the cape region of the Baja California peninsula. We sampled 73 individuals from 13 major localities over this 2500-km transect, from 43 to 22 degrees north. Our molecular phylogeographical analysis of 555 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and 510 bp of the control region revealed great genetic uniformity in a single clade that extends from Oregon to central Baja California. A second distinct clade occupies the southern half of the peninsula. The minimal geographical structure of the northern clade, its low haplotype diversity and the distribution of pairwise differences between haplotypes suggest a rapid northward expansion of the population that must have followed a northward desert habitat shift associated with the most recent Quaternary climate warming and glacial retreat. The higher haplotype diversity within the southern clade and distribution of pairwise differences between haplotypes suggest that the southern clade has a longer, more stable history associated with a southern peninsular refugium. This system, as observed, reflects both historical and contemporary ecological and evolutionary responses to physical environmental gradients within genetically homogeneous populations.     

长江口及其南部邻近地区大弹涂鱼种群遗传结构及种群历史分析

应用随机扩增多态性DNA（RAPD）技术及细胞色素b（Cytｂ）基因序列,分析了长江口及其南部邻近地区大弹涂鱼（Boleophthalmus pecinirostris）群体遗传结构及种群历史,结果显示这一区域大弹涂鱼群体的遗传多样性水平很高。（1）RAPD分析结果：从100个10碱基随机引物中筛选出30个多态性引物,对长江口九段沙湿地、浙江舟山定海、福建霞浦群体各20个体进行RAPD分析,3个群体分别获得236、270、274条带,共301个有效位点。3群体多态位点比例（P）、Nei基因多样性指数（H）、Shannon多样性指数（I）分别在93.02%—96.35%、0.3890—0.4219、0.5618—0.6044。分子方差分析（AMOVA）表明,大弹涂鱼群体间存在显著的遗传分化（Fst= 0.03004-0.03254,P<0.05）,但仅3.2%的遗传变异来自群体间。（2）Cytｂ基因序列分析结果：从采自九段沙、定海、霞浦及浙江慈溪的42尾大弹涂鱼样本中,共获得33个Cytｂ基因单倍型（序列长1 141 bp）。4群体的平均单倍型多样性（h）、核甘酸多样性（π）分别为0.9814、0.0048。4群体间的遗传分化指数Fst为0.00043—0.07814,仅1.93%的变异来自群体间（AMOVA分析）,而基因交流值却达14.50—30.79,群体间K2-P遗传距离为0.0040—0.0056,从而显示大弹涂鱼群体间没有发生明显的地理分化。以Cyt b基因序列构建的NJ树揭示4个群体的个体组成2个谱系,但这2个谱系与地理分布并不相关。中性检验、错配分析和网络亲缘关系分析皆表明大弹涂鱼群体有过种群扩张,扩张时间约在更新世末期的0.057—0.023百万年前。     

Diversity and structure of fragmented populations of a threatened endemic cyprinodontid (Aphanius sophiae) inferred from genetics and otolith morphology: Implications for conservation and management

The assessment of population structure and genetic diversity is crucial for the management and conservation of threatened species. Natural and artificial barriers to dispersal (i.e., gene flow) increase populations’ differentiation and isolation by reducing genetic exchange and diversity. Freshwater ecosystems are highly fragmented because of human activities. Threatened species with small population sizes are more sensitive to habitat fragmentation effects. Here, we investigate the genetic population structure and gene flow among seven populations of Aphanius sophiae in the Kor Basin by using sequences of the complete Cyt b gene and otolith morphometry. The Cyt b gene showed low level of genetic variation, only 4.12% of the identified sites were variable, and 2.42% were parsimony informative. Overall, haplotype diversity was low to moderate and nucleotide diversity was low to extremely low. Fish populations exhibited high levels of genetic differentiation, suggesting limited gene flow among them. These differences were obtained not only among geographically distant populations, but also among neighboring localities. Genetic population structure was supported by the AMOVA analysis and by the haplotype network (only one of 21 haplotypes were shared by two localities). Otolith morphometric analysis was in agreement with genetic results, the two most distant and isolated populations were clearly separated, and genetically close populations showed less differences in morphometry. A significant pattern of isolation by distance was also detected among A. sophiae populations, with genetic distance more correlated with hydrological distance than with geographic distance. Results suggested that limited gene flow due to habitat fragmentation is an important factor contributing to genetic structuring and to the loss of genetic variation of A. sophiae populations. Aphanius sophiae population structure seems to be the result of habitat fragmentation and water pollution, but other factors such as introduced species should be considered. Given the high degree of genetic structuring, the definition of conservation groups is of particular importance for A. sophiae, which should be considered endangered according to the IUCN criteria. Conservation plans must recognize the genetic independence of populations and manage separately preventing the loss of locally adapted genotypes.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Schizopygopsis younghusbandi Regan in the Yarlung Tsangpo River inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis

The genetic diversity and population structure of Schizopygopsis younghusbandi from six sites in the middle reach of the Yarlung Tsangpo River were examined based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene and control region (D-loop) sequences. 1141 bp of complete Cyt b sequences and 737 bp of partial D-loop sequences for 153 individuals of S. younghusbandi were obtained by using PCR amplification and sequencing. The results showed that S. younghusbandi populations had high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity, and the population genetic diversity of this species was at a low level. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most genetic variation occurred within populations, and that genetic differentiation was at low or moderate levels. The network of haplotypes based on Cyt b gene showed that there were two groups within the examined populations. Neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis suggested that this species might have undergone a population expansion and the expansion time was estimated to be 0.25–0.46 Ma BP. All these results would be crucial to establish scientific strategies for effective conservation and sustainable exploitation of wild resources of S. younghusbandi.     

Genetic homogeneity between populations of cotton bollworm from Xinjiang,China

We studied the population structure of cotton bollworm (CBW), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Xinjiang, the largest cotton-growing region in China, using a fragment of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Alignments of all 192 COI sequences revealed 28 haplotypes including 23 in southern Xinjiang, 5 in eastern Xinjiang and 13 in northern Xinjiang. Negative and significant values of neutrality tests for the Tajima's D and Fu's FS parameters, combined with the high values of haplotype diversity (H_d), low values of nucleotide diversity (π) and a high number of low frequency haplotypes indicated a recent demographic expansion of Xinjiang CBW populations. Analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) indicated low and non-significant genetic structure, regardless of geographical scale or crop, with most of genetic variation occurring within local CBW populations. Pairwise F_ST analyses also indicated low genetic differentiation. This demographic event and high gene flow could be responsible for the low genetic structure currently found. CBW populations in Xinjiang need to be considered as one panmictic unit in its management, especially for the design of refuges to delay the development of resistance by this migratory pest to transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton.     

三个地理种群的董氏须鳅遗传多样性及种群历史动态

研究采用线粒体DNA Cyt b和D-loop基因分析西辽河、松花江和穆棱河3条水系董氏须鳅(Barbatula toni)的遗传多样性和种群结构, 并探讨其种群演变历史。结果表明: 3条水系119个董氏须鳅样本共检测出57个单倍型, 各群体间不存在共享单倍型; 3个董氏须鳅地理群体均呈现出较高的单倍型多样性(0.805—0.926)和较低的核苷酸多样性(0.00095—0.00458); AMOVA分子方差分析、群体间分化指数(F_ST)、系统发育树及单倍型网络图均表明3个地理种群已经出现高度分化, 群体间遗传变异占总变异的79.45%, 遗传分化显著(P<0.01)。中性检验和错配分析表明, 松花江和穆棱河群体历史上发生了群体快速扩张。参考鳅科鱼类Cyt b基因0.68—0.84%/Ma的进化速率, 估算3个地理群体的分歧时间为1.082—0.669 Ma前, 松花江和穆棱河群体扩张时间为0.071—0.047 Ma前, 推测我国董氏须鳅在中更新世期随冰期迁移至不同避难所, 形成各地理群体, 并于晚更新世早期经历了群体扩张事件。     

Molecular ecology of zebra mussel invasions

The invasion of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, into North American waters has resulted in profound ecological disturbances and large monetary losses. This study examined the invasion history and patterns of genetic diversity among endemic and invading populations of zebra mussels using DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Patterns of haplotype frequency indicate that all invasive populations of zebra mussels from North America and Europe originated from the Ponto-Caspian Sea region. The distribution of haplotypes was consistent with invasive populations arising from the Black Sea drainage, but could not exclude the possibility of an origin from the Caspian Sea drainage. Similar haplotype frequencies among North American populations of D. polymorpha suggest colonization by a single founding population. There was no evidence of invasive populations arising from tectonic lakes in Turkey, while lakes in Greece and Macedonia contained only Dreissena stankovici. Populations in Turkey might be members of a sibling species complex of D. polymorpha. Ponto-Caspian derived populations of D. polymorpha (theta = 0.0011) and Dreissena bugensis (one haplotype) exhibited low levels of genetic diversity at the COI gene, perhaps as a result of repeated population bottlenecks. In contrast, geographically isolated tectonic lake populations exhibited relatively high levels of genetic diversity (theta = 0.0032 to 0.0134). It is possible that the fluctuating environment of the Ponto-Caspian basin facilitated the colonizing habit of invasive populations of D. polymorpha and D. bugensis. Our findings were concordant with the general trend of destructive freshwater invaders in the Great Lakes arising from the Ponto-Caspian Sea basin.     

Patterns of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA variation in Iberian populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emys orbicularis</Emphasis> (Emydidae): conservation implications

The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is threatened and in decline in several regions of its natural range, due to habitat loss combined with population fragmentation. In this work, we have focused our efforts on studying the genetic diversity and structure of Iberian populations with a fine-scale sampling (254 turtles in 10 populations) and a representation from North Africa and Balearic island populations. Using both nuclear and mitochondrial markers (seven microsatellites, ∼1048 bp nDNA and ∼1500 bp mtDNA) we have carried out phylogenetic and demographic analyses. Our results show low values of genetic diversity at the mitochondrial level although our microsatellite dataset revealed relatively high levels of genetic variability with a latitudinal genetic trend decreasing from southern to northern populations. A moderate degree of genetic differentiation was estimated for Iberian populations (genetic distances, F _ST values and clusters in the Bayesian analysis). The results in this study combining mtDNA and nDNA, provide the most comprehensive population genetic data for E. orbicularis in the Iberian Peninsula. Our results suggest that Iberian populations within the Iberian–Moroccan lineage should be considered as a single subspecies with five management units, and emphasize the importance of habitat management rather than population reinforcement (i.e. captive breeding and reintroduction) in this long-lived species.     

A geographic mosaic of passive dispersal: population structure in the endemic Hawaiian amber snail Succinea caduca (Mighels, 1845)

We used 276 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI, 645 bp) and a subset of 84 16S large ribosomal subunit (16S, 451 bp) sequences to evaluate geographic patterns of genetic variation in 24 populations of the endemic Hawaiian land snail Succinea caduca spanning its range on six islands. Haplotype networks, gene tree topologies, pairwise molecular divergence and F _ST matrices suggest substantial geographic genetic structuring and complex dispersal patterns. Low nucleotide diversity and low pairwise molecular divergence values within populations coupled with higher between population values suggest multiple founder events. High overall haplotype diversity suggests diversification involving rare interpopulation dispersal, fragmentation by historical lava flows and variation in habitat structure. Within-island rather than between-island population comparisons accounted for the majority of molecular variance. Although 98% of 153 COI haplotypes were private by population, a Mantel test showed no evidence for isolation by distance. Mismatch distributions and population partitioning patterns suggest that genetic fragmentation has been driven by punctuated, passive dispersal of groups of closely related haplotypes that subsequently expanded and persisted in isolation for long periods (average > 2 million years ago), and that Pleistocene island connections may have been important in enhancing gene flow. Historical availability of mesic coastal habitat, together with effective dispersal may explain the long-term persistence and unusual multi-island distribution of this species, contrasting with the single-island endemism of much of the Hawaiian biota.     

Mitochondrial evidence for distinct phylogeographic units in the endangered Malagasy poison frog Mantella bernhardi

Mantella bernhardi is an endemic species of Malagasy poison frog threatened by loss and fragmentation of its natural habitat and collection for the pet trade. It is classified as threatened according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) categories and included in Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). A recent survey has increased the known distributional range of the species from one to eight populations across southeastern Madagascar, but little is known about its biology and genetic diversity. Here we estimate inter- and intrapopulation mitochondrial genetic variation of four populations. Populations from the northern and southern parts of the distributional range showed a high degree of divergence (maximum of 11.35% in cytochrome b) and were recovered as reciprocally monophyletic groups. Nine haplotypes were detected in the northern and 12 in the southern populations. The population from Ranomafana National Park showed the lowest number of haplotypes and nucleotide diversity, and shared its most common haplotype with the second northern population from Tolongoina. All the other detected haplotypes were unique to each of the four populations. This suggests the existence of important barriers to gene flow, pre-dating human colonization of Madagascar at about 2000 years ago, in distinct contrast to other Mantella species that show a high degree of haplotype sharing throughout their range. The continued habitat fragmentation within the distribution range of M. bernhardi prevents any connection between its populations. Our data indicate the existence of at least two different management units for conservation in this species, corresponding to the North and South of its distribution range, and highlight the existence of strong regional endemism in southeastern Madagascar.