Artificial barriers prevent genetic recovery of small isolated populations of a low-mobility freshwater fish.

ABSTRACT: Habitat loss and fragmentation often result in small, isolated populations vulnerable to environmental disturbance and loss of genetic diversity. Low genetic diversity can increase extinction risk of small populations by elevating inbreeding and inbreeding depression, and reducing adaptive potential. Due to their linear nature and extensive use by humans, freshwater ecosystems are especially vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation. Although the effects of fragmentation on genetic structure have been extensively studied in migratory fishes, they are less understood in low-mobility species. We estimated impacts of instream barriers on genetic structure and diversity of the low-mobility river blackfish (Gadopsis marmoratus) within five streams separated by weirs or dams constructed 45-12

SUBMITTER: Coleman RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5943333 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature