Microsatellite variation and significant population genetic structure of endangered finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) in Chinese coastal waters and the Yangtze River |
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Authors: | Lian Chen Michael W Bruford Shixia Xu Kaiya Zhou Guang Yang |
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Institution: | (1) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, 210046 Nanjing, China;(2) School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3TL, UK; |
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Abstract: | The finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) inhabits a wide range of tropical and temperate waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Genetic structure of finless porpoises
in Chinese waters in three regions (Yangtze River, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea) was analyzed, including the Yangtze finless
porpoise which is widely known because of its highly endangered status and unusual adaptation to freshwater. To assist in
conservation and management of this species, ten microsatellite loci were used to genotype 125 individuals from the three
regions. Contrary to the low genetic diversity revealed in previous mtDNA control region sequence analyses, relatively high
levels of genetic variation in microsatellite profiles (H
E = 0.732–0.795) were found. Bayesian clustering analysis suggested that finless porpoises in Chinese waters could be described
as three distinct genetic groups, which corresponded well to population “units” (populations, subspecies, or species) delimited
in earlier studies, based on morphological variation, distribution, and genetic analyses. Genetic differentiation between
regions was significant, with F
ST values ranging from 0.07 to 0.137. Immigration rates estimated using a Bayesian method and population ancestry analyses suggested
no or very limited gene flow among regional types, even in the area of overlap between types. These results strongly support
the classification of porpoises in these regions into distinct evolutionarily significant units, including at least two separate
species, and therefore they should be treated as different management units in the design and implementation of conservation
programmes. |
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