Genetic and morphological variability of the European mudminnowUmbra krameri(Teleostei, Umbridae) in Serbia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a basis for future conservation activities

Abstract

As a basis for future conservation activities, the genetic and external body morphology variability of the European mudminnow Umbra krameri, a highly endangered fish species in Serbia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was determined for existing populations with the use of molecular markers (mitochondrial and microsatellite DNA) and geometric morphometric methods. Mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene analysis revealed two previously undescribed haplotypes: Da1 (the Lugomir population from the Danube River basin) and Sa1 (the Bakreni Batar and the Gromiželj populations from the Sava River system), with a corresponding genetic distance of 0·7%. Paired values of FST and DAS distances for microsatellite marker data show that the difference between the Danube and the Sava populations is seven to nine times higher than the difference between the populations within the Sava River system. Geometric morphometric analyses also support a clear separation of the Lugomir population from the Bakreni Batar and the Gromiželj populations. The analysis of the body shape variation, however, indicates a significant difference between the two genetically indistinguishable Sava populations. The observed genetic and phenetic relationships of the analysed mudminnow populations most probably represent a consequence of historical, geographical and ecological factors. These results will offer guidelines for future protection, conservation and sustainable management of this species in the region.

Genetic characterisation of European mudminnow (Umbra krameri) populations from the Sava River system

“…The finding of the Sa1 cyt b haplotype in the middle Sava, represented by the Kraljica-3 population, confirmed the previous assumption (Marić et al, 2015(Marić et al, , 2017) that this haplotype characterizes the Sava phylogeographic lineage while also leaving a trace in the Danube River, at least 50 km downstream of the Sava River mouth (Kraljevac-6 sampling site), where it was still detected to a minor extent (Tab. 1).…”

Phylogeography and population genetics of the European mudminnow (Umbra krameri) with a time-calibrated phylogeny for the family Umbridae

“…A notable example is seen in the European mudminnow (Umbra krameri Walbaum, 1792), a fish specifically adapted to the margins of lowland rivers, floodplains and marshes (Bănărescu & Bănăduc, 2007;Bănărescu et al, 1995;Pekárik et al, 2014;Wanzenböck, 1995Wanzenböck, , 2004. U. krameri could serve as a focal species for this specific type of threatened ecosystem (Lambeck, 1997;Mace et al, 2007) or as indicator species for krameri at a limited scale in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Hungary (Marić et al, 2015;Takács et al, 2015).…”

Habitat establishment, captive breeding and conservation translocation to save threatened populations of the Vulnerable European mudminnowUmbra krameri

“…ponds) instead of a more extended and connected fen system has several advantages, especially in monitoring and controlling ongoing biological and environmental processes, preventing the spread of disease, and keeping invasive species out of the system. It also facilitates the preservation and maintenance of broodstocks from different populations with unique genetic pools (Marić et al, 2015;Takács et al, 2015). Pre-stocking monitoring of created habitats is advisable, as habitat quality and prey availability influence the outcome of introductions of freshwater fish (Griffith et al, 1989;Ellis et al, 2013;Cochran-Biederman et al, 2015).…”