New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Population genetic structure of the Canterbury mudfish (Neochanna burrowsius):
biogeography and conservation implications
M. L. Davey,*1
L. O’Brien2
N. Ling3
D. M. Gleeson1
1Ecological Genetics Laboratory
Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd
Private Bag 92 170
Auckland, New Zealand
email: mdavey@aims.gov.au
*Author for correspondence
2Department of Zoology
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
3Department of Biological Sciences
University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton, New Zealand
Abstract The population genetic structure of the Canterbury
mudfish (Neochanna burrowsius) (Phillipps), a threatened endemic freshwater
fish of New Zealand, was investigated using DNA sequence data derived from
the mitochondrial D-loop region. Samples were obtained from eight sites throughout
the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Comparison of 845 bp from the tRNA-pro
end of the D-loop from the 79 fish sequenced revealed low genetic diversity.
Only 13 (1.5%) of the 845 bp analysed were found to be variable and only nine
unique haplotypes were revealed. DNA distance estimates and phylogenetic reconstruction
of these haplotypes demonstrated that there is little divergence between
populations. Despite this, the population structure was significant, with
just one haplotype (9) detected at more than one site in the wild. This genetic
structuring is attributed to recent dispersal from a small historical population
and periodic bottlenecks within individual populations. DNA divergence estimates
show a significant subdivision between northern and southern populations,
indicating a historical separation. It is recommended that future conservation
management priorities take into account this genetic structuring in order
to adequately conserve the limited genetic diversity within this species.
Keywords population genetics; conservation; Neochanna
burrowsius; Canterbury mudfish; threatened species
M02035 Received 29 May 2002; accepted 10 September 2002; Published 20 March
2003
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2003, Vol. 37:
13-21
0028-8330/03/3701-0013 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand
2003
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