Morphological and ecological responses to a conservation translocation of powan (Coregonus lavaretus) in Scotland

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. The establishment of refuge populations has become a common management tool for threatened fish species in recent years, yet the effects of translocation are not fully understood in a conservation context.2. This paper examines the hypothesis that phenotypic changes have occurred during the formation of two refuge populations of the nationally rare powan (a freshwater fish species) which were established in Loch Sloy and Carron Valley Reservoir in Scotland.3. Significant differences in head morphology, size and growth between the founder and refuge populations and between the two refuge populations were demonstrated. These changes are probably due to a combination of founder effects, intense selection and phenotypic plasticity. These changes can undermine the rationale behind the establishment of refuge populations.4. The results call into question the usefulness of translocation as a conservation measure; however, there are times when this is the only viable management option available. The future of translocation and the validity of establishing refuge populations for powan conservation are discussed.

Genetic diversity and population history ofTanichthys albonubes(Teleostei: Cyprinidae): Implications for conservation

“…Moreover, captive breeding and reintroduction as conservation tools require many considerations (IUCN, ), and the genetic status of the stocks used in a reintroduction project would need to be evaluated and monitored (Aguirre‐pabón, Barandica, & García, ). Thus, the establishment of refuge populations (Ardestani, Rogelio, Reyes, & Laude, ; Etheridge, Bean, Maitland, & Adams, ) is recommended for the conservation of this freshwater species, and in order to maintain local‐level adaptive potential, the refuge populations, as conservation‐significant units, should be selected carefully (Ardestani et al, ; Hayes, Krahl, Werneke, & Armbruster, ).…”

Are phenotypic traits useful for differentiating among a priori Coregonus taxa?

“…While this has not been found in these translocated populations to any great extent, no CR fishes were ever identified as a putative C. clupeoides and the proportions of LS and CR fishes classed as unidentifiable were greater than for LL fishes. Etheridge et al (2010 b ) found that after only four generations LS and CR fishes were found to be diverging phenotypically in different directions, presumably due to physical and biotic differences between sites. It is possible that, if this diversion continues, LS and CR fishes might ultimately be classed as different species using phenotypic characters.…”

“…Only L F and N EDxSL were significantly different between these sites. A comparison of LL coregonids in comparison to the translocated populations in LS and CR found significant differences in growth rates and in head morphology between populations presumably due to phenotypic plasticity (Etheridge et al, 2010b). It has been suggested that allometric traits may change the diagnosis of a species when moved to a different environment due to the often reported changes in growth in translocated coregonid populations (Svärdson, 1957).…”

Genetic diversity of two Philippine native freshwater goby species (Perciformes: Gobiidae): implications for conservation

“…Noting the threats to both species such as habitat loss, over-exploitation and introduction of non-native species (Paller et al, 2011) candidate strategies include the site-specific translocation and establishment of a refuge population as suggested by Etheridge et al (2010). However, to maintain local-level adaptive potential, the selected refuge populations should be obtained from the appropriate geographical range (Davey et al, 2003).…”