Genetic divergence and phylogeographic relationships among European perch (Perca fluviatilis) populations reflect glacial refugia and postglacial colonization

Abstract

We used the widely distributed freshwater fish, perch (Perca fluviatilis), to investigate the postglacial colonization routes of freshwater fishes in Europe. Genetic variability within and among drainages was assessed using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequencing and RAPD markers from 55 populations all over Europe as well as one Siberian population. High level of structuring for both markers was observed among drainages and regions, while little differentiation was seen within drainages and regions. Phylogeographic relationships among European perch were determined from the distribution of 35 mtDNA haplotypes detected in the samples. In addition to a distinct southern European group, which includes a Greek and a southern Danubian population, three major groups of perch are observed: the western European drainages, the eastern European drainages including the Siberian population, and Norwegian populations from northern Norway, and western side of Oslofjord. Our data suggest that present perch populations in western and northern Europe were colonized from three main refugia, located in southeastern, northeastern and western Europe. In support of this, nested cladistic analysis of mtDNA clade and nested clade distances suggested historical range expansion as the main factor determining geographical distribution of haplotypes. The Baltic Sea has been colonized from all three refugia, and northeastern Europe harbours descendants from both eastern European refugia. In the upper part of the Danube lineages from the western European and the southern European refugia meet. The southern European refugium probably did not contribute to the recolonization of other western and northern European drainages after the last glaciation. However, phylogenetic analyses suggest that the southern European mtDNA lineage is the most ancient, and therefore likely to be the founder of all present perch lineages. The colonization routes used by perch probably also apply to other freshwater species with similar distribution patterns.

Mitochondrial DNA variation in wild populations of Leporinus elongatus from the Paraná River basin

“…Traces of imperfect tandem repeats were also observed in the L. elongatus D-loop sequences. These tandem repeats, typically found in the 5'-end or in the 3'-end of the D-loop segment, where the DNA replication initiates and ends, respectively (Lee et al, 1995;Nesbo et al, 1999), can be correlated to intra and inter-individual size variations in the D-loop region (Brzuzan, 2000).…”

Microsatellite data resolve phylogeographic patterns in European grayling, Thymallus thymallus, Salmonidae

“…An ancient Danube-Elbe dispersal route was also supported by the fact that the Eger River population (originating from a tributary of the Elbe) grouped together with the SouthEuropean populations, two of which (Ram and Obr) originated from tributaries of the Danube (Figure 3). Although this connection has not been previously observed in grayling, other fish species inhabiting central and northern Europe have been argued to originate from their South-European conspecifics (Nesb et al, 1999;Englbrecht et al, 2000). Furthermore, the Danube-Elbe colonization route has been recently discussed to explain mtDNA haplotype patterns in bullhead, Cottus gobio (Englbrecht et al, 2000).…”

Genetic variability in tench (Tinca tincaL.) as revealed by PCR-RFLP analysis of mitochondrial DNA

“…They showed that the species is subdivided into deeply divergent Western and Eastern phylogroups which are not, however, distinct species (Lajbner et al, 2010). Also in other freshwater species, including the chub (Leuciscus cephalus) (Durand et al, 1999), perch (Perca fluviatilis) (Nesbø et al, 1999) and barbel (Barbus barbus) (Kotlik and Berrebi, 2001), genetic lines related to the geographical location were observed which could indicate an evolutionary history common to different freshwater species. On the basis of the haplogroup composition, composite haplotype distribution and population location, it can be inferred that the haplogroup A observed in the present study corresponds to the Western phylogroup reported by Lajbner et al (2007 while the haplogroup B corresponds to the Eastern phylogroup.…”