Analysis by RAPD of the genetic structure of Astyanax altiparanae (Pisces, Characiformes) in reservoirs on the Paranapanema River, Brazil

Abstract

In this study, the RAPD technique was used to analyze the genetic structure of populations of the fish Astyanax altiparanae (Characidae, Tetragonopterinae) living in the lower, middle and upper Paranapanema River, Brazil. The aim was to assess this structure regarding fish handling and conservation programs. The genetic variability (P) was found to be 42.64%, 75% and 75% in the low, middle and upper reaches, respectively. The dendrogram of genetic similarity, obtained by comparative analysis of the sets of samples from the three sites, showed the formation of three clusters. All of the genetic parameters used indicate that the population in the lower Paranapanema is genetically different from those in the middle and upper sections. The theta P test shows that the low Paranapanema is highly differentiated from the middle (0.2813) and upper (0.2912) Paranapanema, while the differentiation between the last two is moderate (0.0895). The data obtained in the present work suggest that recolonization and conservation studies should not be focused on the species A. altiparanae as such, but on the conservation units, because they are the genetically differentiated populations.

Genetic analysis of five sedentary fish species in middle Laranjinha River (upper Paraná River basin): A case study

“…The highestP and H E values were observed in A. altiparanae and the lowest values in L. amblyrhynchus (Table 2). All levels of genetic diversity in the populations studied here were evaluated as satisfactory compared to previously reported data (Chiari and Sodré, 2001;Almeida et al, 2003;Leuzzi et al, 2004;Pamponet et al, 2008). …”

“…Other studies found genetic distance values higher than here and considered these values to indicate low levels of genetic differentiation. Populations of Astyanax altiparanae studied by Leuzzi et al (2004) gave genetic distance estimates close to 0.12 in an area without geographical barriers; Sofia et al (2006) found higher levels of genetic distance (approximately 0.61) for Astyanax scabripinnis.…”

“…Previous studies using RAPD reported the following values ofP: Schizodon intermedius 45.5%, Schizodon nasutus 41.4%, Leporinus amblyrhynchus 29.3%, Leporinus friderici 46.3%, Leporinus striatus 41%, Leporinus octofasciatus 55.1%, Leporinus elongatus 58.7%, and Leporinus obtusidens 53.1% (Chiari and Sodré, 2001); Astyanax altiparanae 78.41% (Leuzzi et al, 2004), Astyanax aff. bimaculatus 85.71% (Pamponet et al 2008), Pimelodus maculatus 50.1-60.94% (Almeida et al, 2003), and Steindachnerina insculpta 76.6% (Oliveira et al, 2002).…”

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Neotropical fish Astyanax altiparanae (Teleostei: Characiformes) and cross-species amplification

“…Many molecular markers have been frequently used for the Astyanax species (Prioli et al 2002;Leuzzi et al 2004;Peres et al 2005). However, there are no microsatellite data available for this group.…”

DNA Barcoding of Freshwater Fishes from Lake Laut Tawar, Aceh Province, Indonesia

“…Unfortunately, very limited information on fish populations in Lake Laut Tawar is available. In many situations, genetic data are the best way to determine whether a species is worth a special protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) or other form of conservation status (Matoso et al 2004), as it allows calculated decisions on the best course of action to be taken for protection and conservation (Leuzzi et al 2004) as well as managing different stocks (Salini et al 2006).…”