mtDNA sequence data supports an Asian ancestry and single introduction of the common carp into the Danube Basin

Common carp Cyprinus carpio ( n =24) from the upper Danube (wild or feral forms, scaleless varieties) as well as Japanese koi shared the identical mtDNA haplotype (565 bp). In contrast, Amur River carp ( n =5) exhibited unique haplotypes, 1–12 bp divergent from the Danubian one. These results support an Asian origin and single introduction or domestication event leading to the present diversity of common carp in Europe, as well as the ornamental Japanese koi.     

Seasonal Distribution of Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 in Lake Biwa,Japan

The seasonal distribution of the cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) in Lake Biwa, Japan, was investigated. CyHV-3 was distributed all over the lake 5 years after the first outbreak. The mean concentration of CyHV-3 in water showed annual oscillation, with a peak in the summer and a trough in winter. Our results suggested that CyHV-3 is present at high density in reductive environments, such as reed zones and turbid or eutrophic water.A novel fatal disease of fish caused by cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3), also known as koi herpesvirus or carp interstitial nephritis and gill necrosis virus, which infects the common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) and ornamental koi (Cyprinus carpio koi) was reported at the end of the 1990s, and it has spread rapidly worldwide (13). In 2003, the first mass mortality in Japan was observed in Lake Kasumigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture (17), and the disease immediately spread all over the country.Lake Biwa is the largest and oldest freshwater lake in Japan. It occupies 670 km², and the total length of the coastline is 241 km. The first and relatively small-scale mortality caused by CyHV-3 was observed in the autumn of 2003 in Lake Biwa, and mass mortality occurred in the following spring, in which more than 100,000 carp died (10). Thus, the disease is a great threat not only to the cultivation industry and koi collectors but also to the natural carp population. Carp is regarded as an ecological engineer that has an impact on freshwater ecosystems, and therefore, mass mortality will affect the entire lake ecosystem (10).The pathogenesis and diagnosis of the disease have been studied intensively, but the dynamics of CyHV-3 has not been clarified. Recently, the major portal of CyHV-3 entry was reported to be fish skin (2), which means that infection via water is possible. Thus, to determine the method by which the virus spreads and to evaluate the infectious risk in the environment, one must clarify the CyHV-3 dynamics in the natural environment. In the present study, we surveyed the seasonal distribution pattern of CyHV-3 in Lake Biwa, Japan, using a quantitative method.     

An unusual koi herpesvirus associated with a mortality event of common carp Cyprinus carpio in New York State, USA

Koi herpesvirus (KHV), a highly contagious and lethal virus that affects both koi (Cyprinus carpio koi) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio), was isolated in 1998 from two outbreaks of koi suffering mass mortality in New York State, USA, and in Israel. The disease had been described as early as 1996 in Europe. In July 2004, this virus was found associated with a mass mortality event in wild common carp in the Chadakoin River, New York, USA (42 degrees 07' N, 79 degrees W). Affected fish typically showed marked hyperplasia of gill tissues, abdominal adhesions, and severe multifocal to diffuse external hemorrhages. The virus isolated in this outbreak was somewhat unusual in that it initially replicated well in fathead minnow cell cultures, which is typical of spring viremia of carp virus. Testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, Iowa, USA, confirmed the virus's identity to be KHV. Koi herpesvirus is not currently on the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) list of notifiable diseases; however, it is capable of causing mass mortality in susceptible fish at permissive temperatures.     

Mitochondrial DNA population structure of the white-spotted Charr (Salvelinus leucomaenis) in the Lake Biwa water system

A phylogeographic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences was performed in order to elucidate the origin, dispersal process, and genetic structure of white-spotted charr in the Lake Biwa water system. Two haplotypes were most common in the Lake Biwa water system, and were also common in the adjacent inlet rivers of the Sea of Japan. These results suggest that in the glacial periods of the Pleistocene, white-spotted charr dispersed into the northern inlet rivers of Lake Biwa from adjacent inlet rivers of the Sea of Japan by watershed exchanges, colonizing the whole of the Lake Biwa water system. Mitochondrial DNA diversity contrasted sharply between the western and eastern parts of the system, suggesting that the populations in the western part might be more reduced than those in the eastern part in relation to the smaller habitat size. The high overall FST estimate (0.50), together with pairwise comparisons of FST, indicated significant genetic divergence between populations due to isolation and small population size. Hierarchical analysis (AMOVA) also showed that genetic variation was more pronounced among regions (28.39%) and among populations within regions (47.24%) than within populations (24.37%). This suggests that each population in and around the Lake Biwa water system should be treated as a significant unit for conservation and management.     

Learning from unsuccessful radio tagging of common carp in a Namibian reservoir

Radio tagged common carp Cyprinus carpio in a Namibian reservoir, where this species has been introduced, experienced 100% mortality or tag loss (  n  = 13) with surgically implanted transmitters and 100% survival (  n  = 5) with externally attached transmitters at water temperatures of 24–25° C. It seems that the negative effects of the tagging were greater for surgical implantation than for external attachment. The body shape of common carp make them well suited for external tagging, and this tagging method is recommended for common carp studies at high water temperatures or under other stressful conditions.     

Molecular phylogeny of three subspecies of common carp Cyprinus carpio, based on sequence analysis of cytochrome b and control region of mtDNA

The complete cytochrome b and the control region of mtDNA (about 2070 bp in total) of 10 strains belonging to three subspecies of the common carp, including three wild subspecies (the Yangtze River wild common carp – Cyprinus carpio haematopterus , Yuanjiang River wild common carp – Cyprinus carpio rubrofuscus and Volga River wild common carp – Cyprinus carpio carpio ) and seven domestic strains (Xingguo red carp, Russian scattered scaled mirror carp, Qingtian carp, Japanese Koi carp, purse red carp, Big-belly carp, German mirror carp) were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 10 strains form three distinct clades, corresponding to C. c. haematopterus , C. c. rubrofuscus and C. c. carpio respectively. Purse red carp, an endemic domestic strain in Jiangxi province of China, showed a higher evolution rate in comparison with the other strains of C. c. haematopterus , most probably because of intensive selection and a long history of domestication. Base variation ratios among the three subspecies varied from 0.78% (between C. c. haematopterus and C. c. rubrofuscus ) to 1.47%(between C. c. carpio and C. c. rubrofuscus ). The topography of the phylogenetic tree and the geographic distribution of three subspecies closely resemble each other. The divergence time between C. c. carpio and the other two subspecies was estimated to be about 0.9 Myr and about 0.5 Myr between C. c. haematopterus and C. c. rubrofuscus . Based on phylogenetic analysis, C. c. rubrofuscus might have diverged from C. c. haematopterus .     

Clonal diversity in the Japanese silver crucian carp,Carassius langsdorfii inferred from genetic markers

The Japanese silver crucian carp, Carassius langsdorfii, is a naturally polyploid fish that reproduces by gynogenesis, resulting in a geographically clustered clonal population. To determine the amount of clonal diversity in this species, we used genetic markers to compare fish from several Japanese locations. Samples were collected from Lake Kasumigaura (Ibaraki Pref.), Lake Imba (Chiba Pref.), Lake Fukushimagata (Niigata Pref.), Lake Biwa (Shiga Pref.), Lake Koyama (Tottori Pref.), and the Niyodo and Monobe Rivers (Kochi Pref.). The genetic markers used were the microsatellite loci GF1(*), GF17(*), and GF29(*), as well as isozyme (creatinekinase CK(*)) and mtDNA (D-loop region) RFLP. In the seven locations sampled, 61 clonal lines were identified by combining the genotypes of the three microsatellite loci. Populations at all locations consisted of six to 28 clonal lines. Fourteen common clonal lines were detected in two or more locations, and 13 of these were observed in Lake Biwa. We suggest that these clonal lines have been widely distributed in Japanese freshwaters through the intentional stocking of fish species such as "gengorobuna" (C. cuvieri) and "ayu" (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis) obtained from Lake Biwa and its adjacent waters. The CK(*) genotypes and mtDNA haplotypes of fish from Lake Kasumigaura differed from those of other locations.     

Distinct seasonal migration patterns of Japanese native and non‐native genotypes of common carp estimated by environmental DNA

Understanding behavioral differences between intraspecific genotypes of aquatic animals is challenging because we cannot directly observe the animals underwater or visually distinguish morphologically similar counterparts. Here, we tested a new monitoring tool that uses environmental DNA (eDNA), an assemblage of DNA in environmental water, to specifically detect Japanese native and introduced non‐native genotypes of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Lake Biwa, Japan, and estimated differences between the two genotypes in the use of inland habitats. We monitored the ratios of native and non‐native single nucleotide polymorphism alleles of a mitochondrial locus of common carp in a lagoon connected to Lake Biwa for 3 years using eDNA. We observed seasonal dynamics in the allele frequency showing that the native genotype frequency peaked every spring, suggesting that native individuals migrated to the lagoon for spawning and then returned to the main lake, whereas non‐native individuals tended to stay in the lagoon. The estimated migration patterns corresponded with the estimates of a previous study, which were based on commercial fish catch data. Our findings suggest that eDNA‐based monitoring can be useful tool for addressing intraspecific behavioral differences underwater.     

Behavioural and morphological differences between feral and domesticated strains of common carp Cyprinus carpio

Morphological and behavioural traits of a feral strain of the common carp Cyprinus carpio from Lake Biwa in Japan were compared with those of two domesticated strains reared in Japan (one commercial strain and one ornamental koi). To compare genetically inherited traits, all fish were reared from eggs under similar environmental conditions. Using these fish, the following five traits were compared among the three strains: body shape, consumption rate of two types of free-swimming shrimp, medaka Oryzias latipes and bottom-dwelling chironomid larvae prey items, preference for a bottom habitat, feeding skills in detecting prey and escape response to predator attack. The feral strain of fish had more streamlined bodies, higher consumption rates for free-swimming prey, a greater preference for a bottom habitat, possessed greater skill in detecting prey and were more cautious of predator attacks, compared with the fish of the two domesticated strains. These characteristics shown by the feral fish are probably adaptive to the natural environment. A genetic analysis based on five nuclear single nucleotide polymorphism markers, however, suggested that the feral strain was relatively recently derived from domesticated stocks. Considering this, the present results appear to indicate the possibility that domesticated C. carpio could re-adapt to the wild environment during a short evolutionary period, although further research using more feral strains is required.     

Pathogenesis of acute viral disease induced in fish by carp interstitial nephritis and gill necrosis virus

A lethal disease of koi and common carp (species Cyprinus carpio) has afflicted many fish farms worldwide since 1998, causing severe financial losses. Morbidity and mortality are restricted to common carp and koi and appear in spring and autumn, when water temperatures are 18 to 28 degrees C. We have isolated the virus causing the disease from sick fish, propagated it in koi fin cell culture, and shown that virus from a single clone causes lethal disease in carp and koi upon infection. Intraperitoneal virus injection or bathing the fish in virus-containing water kills 85 to 100% of the fish within 7 to 21 days. This virus is similar to the previously reported koi herpesvirus; however, it has characteristics inconsistent with the herpesvirus family, and thus we have called it carp interstitial nephritis and gill necrosis virus. We examined the pathobiology of this disease in carp by using immunohistochemistry and PCR. We found large amounts of the virus in the kidneys of sick fish and smaller amounts in liver and brain. A rapid increase in the viral load in the kidneys was detected by using both immunofluorescence and semiquantitative PCR. Histological analyses of fish at various times after infection revealed signs of interstitial nephritis as early as 2 days postinfection, which increased in severity up to 10 days postinfection. There was severe gill disease evidenced by loss of villi with accompanying inflammation in the gill rakers. Minimal focal inflammation was noted in livers and brains. This report describes the etiology and pathology of a recently described viral agent in fish.     

Recent colonization by a coastal plant of inland habitats at an ancient freshwater lake,Lake Biwa: multilocus sequencing and a demographic history of Lathyrus japonicus (Fabaceae)

Ancient lakes have been recognized as “long‐term isolated islands” in terrestrial ecosystems. Lake Biwa, one of the few ancient lakes that formed around 4 million years ago, harbors many coastal species that commonly inhabit seashores. The beach pea, Lathyrus japonicus, is a typical coastal species of this freshwater lake, where morphological, physiological, and genetic differentiations have been reported between Biwa and coastal populations. Whether Biwa populations were isolated for long periods throughout Pleistocene climatic oscillations and subsequent range shifts is unclear. We assessed population genetic structure and demography of beach pea in this ancient freshwater lake using the sequences of eight nuclear loci. The results of STRUCTURE analyses showed evidence of admixture between Biwa and coastal populations, reflecting recent gene flow. The estimated demographic parameters implemented by the isolation with migration model (IM model) revealed a recent divergence (postglacial period) of Biwa populations, with some gene flow from Biwa to coastal populations. In addition, Biwa populations were significantly smaller in size than the ancestral or coastal populations. Our study suggests that a Holocene thermal maximum, when transgression could allow seeds from coastal plants to access Lake Biwa, was involved in the origin of the Biwa populations and their genetic divergence. Thus, coastal populations might have migrated to Lake Biwa relatively recently. Our study concluded that ancestral migrants in Lake Biwa were derived from small founding populations and accelerated genetic isolation of Biwa populations during short‐term isolation.     

Diet overlap of non‐native common carp and native Nile tilapia: A potential cause for population reduction of Nile tilapia stock in Lake Ziway,Ethiopia

Lake Ziway harbours indigenous and exotic fish species including Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Nile tilapia was the dominant and preferred fish. However, its contribution to total catch has dramatically declined from 89.3% in 1994 to 27% in 2014 while the introduced common carp has increased from 0% before 2012 to 25% in 2014. Common carp potentially compete with Nile tilapia for available resources and could be a cause for the decline. Thus, the study explored the dietary overlap of the two species from April to August 2017. Schoener's overlap index (α) revealed significant dietary overlap between the two species (α = 0.84, between juveniles and α = 0.63, between adults). Juveniles fed mainly on animal origin (zooplankton and insects), while adult Nile tilapia have consumed plant origin (macrophyte and phytoplankton), and adult common carp fed on macrophytes and detritus. The presence of significant dietary overlap between the two species, particularly due to intense competition among juveniles, might cause the reduction of Nile tilapia stock because the native species has shown a competitive disadvantage for food in the presence of common carp. This study provides baseline information to researchers and decision makers working towards the sustainable resource utilisation of the system.     

Polymorphism of the cytochrome oxidase b gene (cyt b) in Russian populations of common carp and wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Polymorphism of the mitochondrial cyt b gene was examined in 35 individuals of common carp and wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The fish examined represented two natural populations from Khabarovsk krai (Ac and Am), Volga wild common carp, Don wild common carp, and two common carp breeds, Ropsha (strains BB and MM) common carp and Hungarian common carp. The highest level of nucleotide (pi) and haplotype (h) diversity was detected in two strains of Ropsha common carp (MM, pi = 0.67%, h = 0.7; and BB, pi = 0.21%, h = 0.9) and in one population (Am) of Amur wild common carp (pi = 0.26%; h = 0.6). The second population of Amur wild common carp (Ac) and Hungarian common carp were characterized by lower variation estimates (pi = 0.035%, h = 0.4; and pi = 0.09%, h = 0.7, respectively). Genetic homogeneity was demonstrated for the populations of Volga and Don wild common carp (pi = 0, h = 0). In the sample of the cyt b sequences examined, three lineages were identified. Lineages I and II united all haplotypes of the Am Amur wild common carp along with two haplotypes of Ropsha common carp, strain MM. The third lineage (III) was formed by the haplotypes of three individuals of Ropsha common carp strain MM, all representatives of Ropsha common carp strain BB, Hungarian common carp, Ac Amur wild common carp, and Don and Volga wild common carps. Statistically significant amino acid differences were observed only for the sequences, corresponding to haplotypes of lineage III, and the sum of sequences of lineages I and II. Effectiveness of different types of markers to differentiate the two subspecies of European and Amur wild common carp (C. c. carpio and C. c. haematopterus) is discussed, as well as the issues of the origin and dispersal of Russian common carp and wild common carp breeds.     

The outbreak of carp disease caused by CyHV-3 as a model for new emerging viral diseases in aquaculture: a review

Aquacultured koi and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are intensively bred for ornamental purposes and for human consumption worldwide. The carp and koi farming industries have suffered enormous economic losses over the past decade due to an epizootic disease caused by Cyprinus herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3) also known as koi herpesvirus and carp interstitial nephritis gill necrosis virus. CyHV-3 is a large dsDNA virus, morphologically similar to herpesviruses, yet contains genetic elements similar to those of pox, irido- and herpesviruses. Considering the phylogenic distance between CyHV-3 and higher vertebrate herpesviruses, CyHV-3 represents the prototype of viruses assigned to the novel family Alloherpesviridae. Although emergence of a new virus rarely initiates a pandemic so severe that it reduces the life expectancy of a population, CyHV-3 is exceptional because of its enormous impact on the world carp population. High population density is the major contributing factor to the epizootic disease caused by CyHV-3.     

Juvenile migration of the exclusively pelagic cyprinid,Gnathopogon caerulescens (Honmoroko) in Lake Biwa,Central Japan

Migration of wild and cultivated juvenile honmoroko Gnathopogon caerulescens of from the spawning and nursery areas in Lake Biwa were investigated, both in the Ibanaiko Lagoon and its outlet to Daido River, using beam‐trawl surveys in 2013 and 2014. The study demonstrated migration of G. caerulescens from a nursery lagoon toward Lake Biwa after the juvenile stage. These findings appear to be the first direct evidence for migration of an exclusively pelagic cyprinid species from a littoral nursery to a pelagic adult habitat in a large deep lake.     

Impacts of an invasive virus (CyHV-3) on established invasive populations of common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>) in North America

The effects of invasive pathogens on wild fish and fish communities generally are not well documented. We compiled information on the impacts of mass mortality events due to Cyprinid Herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3), otherwise known as Koi Herpesvirus, on wild North American populations of the invasive cyprinid, Cyprinus carpio (common carp), based on our personal experiences, discussions with North American fish ecologists and virologists, a detailed survey of technical and popular publications and a web search. We found evidence of 17 mass die-offs of carp due to CyHV-3 in North America since 2004, for 7 of which we were able to obtain information about carp before and after the events. For 6 of the events, effects of the die-offs on carp population indices appeared to be slight. Carp size-frequency distributions before and after the well-documented 2007/08 event in Ontario were also not conspicuously different. The exceptional event was at Blue Springs Lake, Missouri, in 2012, at which we estimate 65% of the carp present died as a result of CyHV-3 infections and carp abundance continues to decline. Why Blue Springs Lake differs from other events in North America is not clear. Overall, carp die-offs due to CyHV-3 in North America (1) confirm laboratory studies that only common carp are affected, (2) are of brief duration (3–6 weeks), (3) are not repeated in subsequent years and (4) cause much lower mortality (with the exception of Blue Springs Lake) than previously reported for carp in aquaculture facilities or in the laboratory. In terms of both wild carp and their effects on aquatic communities, the short and long-term effects of most die-offs appear to be slight. These features could have implications for the effectiveness of the proposed use of CyHV-3 to reduce feral carp populations in Australia.     

Polymorphism of the cytochrome oxidase b gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">cyt b</Emphasis>) in Russian populations of common carp and wild common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L.)

Polymorphism of the mitochondrial cyt b gene was examined in 35 individuals of common carp and wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). The fish examined represented two natural populations from Khabarovsk krai (Ac and Am), Volga wild common carp, Don wild common carp, and two common carp breeds, Ropsha (strains BB and MM) common carp and Hungarian common carp. The highest level of nucleotide (π) and haplotype (h) diversity was detected in two strains of Ropsha common carp (MM, π = 0.67%, h = 0.7; and BB, π = 0.21%, h = 0.9) and in one population (Am) of Amur wild common carp (π = 0.26%; h = 0.6). The second population of Amur wild common carp (Ac) and Hungarian common carp were characterized by lower variation estimates (π = 0.035%, h = 0.4; and π = 0.09%, h = 0.7, respectively). Genetic homogeneity was demonstrated for the populations of Volga and Don wild common carp (π = 0, h = 0). In the sample of the cyt b sequences examined, three lineages were identified. Lineages I and II united all haplotypes of the Am Amur wild common carp along with two haplotypes of Ropsha common carp, strain MM. The third lineage (III) was formed by the haplotypes of three individuals of Ropsha common carp strain MM, all representatives of Ropsha common carp strain BB, Hungarian common carp, Ac Amur wild common carp, and Don and Volga wild common carps. Statistically significant amino acid differences were observed only for the sequences, corresponding to haplotypes of lineage III, and the sum of sequences of lineages I and II. Effectiveness of different types of markers to differentiate the two subspecies of European and Amur wild common carp (C. c. carpio and C. c. haematopterus) is discussed, as well as the issues of the origin and dispersal of Russian common carp and wild common carp breeds.     

Population dynamics and production of Jesogammarus annandalei, an endemic amphipod, in Lake Biwa, Japan

SUMMARY 1. Population dynamics and production of Jesogammarus annandalei , an endemic amphipod in Lake Biwa, were examined from April 1997 to June 1998. The life cycle of this species was 1 year with the new generation beginning in early autumn. They preferred low temperature (<12 °C) and their spatial distribution varied seasonally and accordingly.
2. In deep water, the abundance of J. annandalei ranged from 200 to 63 000 m⁻² and decreased towards summer and the biomass (0.01∼3.6 g C m⁻²) was on average comparable that of zooplankton. The density was much higher than that recorded by a study conducted 35 years ago.
3. Individual growth rate of this amphipod was high in winter and spring but decreased in summer. Annual production of J. annandalei (6.2 g C m⁻² year⁻¹) was only 2% of primary production but was at the higher end of the range reported for amphipods in oligo- and mesotrophic lakes.
4. These results are consistent with the view that Lake Biwa is becoming more eutrophic, with a consequent decrease in the abundance of predatory fish in the profundal zone.     

Comparative analysis of variability of three mitochondrial genes of cytochrome oxidase complex (cox1, cox2, and cox3) in wild and domestic carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

For the first time, we studied the polymorphism of three mitochondrial genes of the cytochrome oxidase complex (cox1, cox2, and cox3) in natural populations of wild carp living in the Volga, Amur, and Don River Basins, as well as in European Hungarian carp and two pedigree lines of Ropsha carp of domestic breeding. The highest level of nucleotide and haplotype diversity in the studied samples was detected for the cox1 gene (?? = 0.61, h = 100%). Two lines of the Ropsha carp (?? = 0.61, h = 100%) and the Far East population of Amur wild carp from Shershikh strait (Am: ?? = 0.20, h = 70%) were the most polymorphic for three genes. The second sample of Amur wild carp from the Amur River (Ac), as well as the samples of Volga and Don wild carp and Hungarian carp had lower values of variability. The presence of two main genealogical lines of the wild carp and carp was demonstrated based on the total sequence of three genes, as well as the corresponding amino acid sequences in the studied area. One of these lines (line I) is typical of the sample of Amur wild carp (Am) and three members of the Ropsha carp. Line II is developed by sequences of Volga, Don, and Amur wild carp (Ac), as well as European Hungarian carp and seven other members of the Ropsha carp. Three to four sublines, which differ in nucleotide and amino acid substitutions, were found within the lines. Possible reasons for the origin of genomic variability in wild carp, as well as in European and Russian breeds of carp, are discussed.     

Polymorphism of microsatellite markers in Russian common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis> L.) breeds

Using five microsatellite loci, genotyping and genetic diversity estimates were obtained for nine samples representing seven common carp breeds most widespread in Russia. For comparison, the samples of Amur wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio haematopterus) and a sample of European Hungarian carp were used. In the samples examined (n = 148) a total of 78 alleles were revealed. The highest mean allele number per locus (7.3) was identified in Amur wild common carp, while the lowest number was found in Cherepets carps (4.0). In different breeds, the observed heterozygosities varied from 0.819 (Altai carp) to 0.651 (Cherepets scaly carp). Three out of five microsatellite loci (MFW-24, MFW-28, and MFW-19) revealed a high level of population differentiation. In the dendrogram of genetic differences, all breeds clustered into two groups. One of these groups was composed of the two strains of Ropsha carp, Stavropol carp, Amur wild common carp, and the two samples of Cherepets carp. The second cluster included Altai carp (Priobskii and Chumysh populations), two Angelinskii carp breeds (mirror and scaly), and Hungarian carp. The pairs of breeds/populations/strains, having common origin, were differentiated. Specifically, these were two populations of Altai carp, two strains of Ropsha carp, as well as the breeds of Angelinskii and Cherepets carps. The reasons for genetic differentiation of Russian common carp breeds, as well as the concordance of the evolutionary histories of these breeds, some of which originated from the European breeds, while the others contain substantial admixture of the Amur wild common carp, are discussed.