Exploring factors shaping population genetic structure of the freshwater fish Sinocyclocheilus grahami (Teleostei, Cyprinidae)

• Published in: Journal of fish biology Vol. 74; no. 8; pp. 1774 - 1786
• Main Authors: Chen, S.Y., Zhang, R.D., Feng, J.G., Xiao, H., Li, W.X., Zan, R.G., Zhang, Y.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.05.2009
• Subjects: Animals; China; Cyprinidae; Cyprinidae - classification; Cyprinidae - genetics; DNA, Mitochondrial - genetics; Evolution, Molecular; Fresh Water; Freshwater; Genetic Variation; Genetics, Population; geographical isolation; Haplotypes; mtDNA; Phylogeny; Phylogeography; population structure; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sinocyclocheilus; Sinocyclocheilus grahami; Teleostei; China; China, People's Rep., Yunnan Prov; China, People's Rep., Yunnan Prov., Dianchi L; China, People's Rep
• ISSN: 0022-1112; 1095-8649
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02204.x

Phylogeographical analyses on Sinocyclocheilus grahami samples from seven localities within the Lake Dianchi Basin in China were conducted to explore the main factors shaping population structure within this species. Phylogenetic and network analyses revealed two major clades in 24 mtDNA haplotypes. One clade included three haplotypes exclusively from samples of the lower basin and another clade encompassed other haplotypes from samples of the upper basin. The estimated divergence time between the two clades predated the river capture event connecting the lower and upper lake basin and thus supported geographical isolation as the main factor shaping genetic divergence between these two clades. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance and pair‐wise ΦST distances revealed significant genetic differentiation within the upper basin. Mantel tests clearly supported patterns of differentiation arose purely as a result of isolation by distance. These results further highlight the importance of geographical isolation in shaping differentiation within this species.