Molecular Analysis of Two Endemic Squalius Species: Evidence for Intergeneric Introgression among Cyprinids and Conservation Issues
Author:
Valić Damir1ORCID, Mirković Matej Kristan2, Besendorfer Višnja3, Teskeredžić Emin4
Affiliation:
1. Laboratory for Biological Effects of Metals, Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia 2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Ravnice 48, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia 3. Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia 4. Laboratory for Aquaculture and Pathology of Aquatic Organisms, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Conservation of indigenous species, especially endemic ones, is of the utmost importance. Morphological determination of species is usually not sufficient; therefore, molecular phylogenetic analyses of the Illyrian chub, Squalius illyricus, and the Zrmanja chub, Squalius zrmanjae, from the Krka River were performed. For the genetic characterization of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b and the non-coding nuclear region Cyfun P, 15 specimens from each species were subjected to analysis. The obtained sequences were aligned with similar ones from GenBank to determine the taxonomic and phylogenetic position of these species. The obtained molecular results imply that S. zrmanjae from the Krka River has a nuclear region that resembles Dalmatian rudd, Scardinius dergle. This result implies an introgression event and the transfer of genetic information between the two genera. The investigated species are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, their biological data are scarce, and further investigation and protection are needed.
Funder
Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of the Republic of Croatia Public Institution Krka National Park
Subject
Ecology,Aquatic Science,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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