Genetic Characteristics of Brown Trout Salmo trutta from the Tatra National Park in Poland

Abstract

In the present study the genetic diversity and structure of the brown trout in the Tatra National Park (TNP) was analyzed by application of ten microsatellites and one mitochondrial DNA markers. For this purpose, a total of 96 fish from 7 main streams located on the territory of the TNP were sampled. Examined fish was characterized by a moderate level of the genetic diversity (I=1.196-1.549) and PIC=0.567-0.707). The mean values of observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0,577 to 0,760 and from 0,609 to 0,723, respectively. Based on genetic analysis, five haplotypes were identified, and the computed haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) values were 0.561 and 0.001, respectively. Assessed genetic differentiation between the examined groups varied from 0.016 do 0.085 and the global test of differentiation (Fst=0.062) among groups provided statistically insignificant values. Constructed Bayesian skyline plot revealed stable population size, however an evidence of a historical decline of the population size in the studied fish was detected. Similarly, to microsatellite DNA analysis, the obtained data on mtDNA analysis showed weak genetic clustering, where two genetic clusters were identified, however, haplotype frequencies did not follow geographical pattern.