Genetic footprint of population fragmentation and contemporary collapse in a freshwater cetacean.

ABSTRACT: Understanding demographic trends and patterns of gene flow in an endangered species is crucial for devising conservation strategies. Here, we examined the extent of population structure and recent evolution of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis). By analysing genetic variation at the mitochondrial and nuclear microsatellite loci for 148 individuals, we identified three populations along the Yangtze River, each one connected to a group of admixed ancestry. Each population displayed extremely low genetic diversity, consistent with extremely small effective size (≤92 individuals). Habitat degradation and distribution gaps correlated with highly asymmetric gene-flow that was inefficient in maintaining connectivity between populations

SUBMITTER: Chen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5663847 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature