Molecular analysis of phylogeographic subspecies in three Ponto-Caspian sturgeon species.

ABSTRACT: Sturgeons (Order Acipenseriformes) represent an extremely valuable natural resource that is now facing depletion. In the current study we evaluate if the traditional classification in subspecies of Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Acipenser stellatus and Huso huso, endemic to Ponto-Caspian region is sustained by molecular analysis and if these represent Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) that should be managed separately in conservation programs. To examine the classification of taxonomic entities we sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial control region in case of three sturgeon species that inhabit the North-western of Black Sea and migrate for reproduction in the Lower Danube. Beside these sequences, we used previously published sequences from sturgeon individuals sampled in the Black Se

SUBMITTER: Dudu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4171761 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature