Premium
Geographical variation of mitochondrial DNA between populations of the white‐clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes
Author(s) -
GRANDJEAN FRÉDÉRIC,
SOUTYGROSSET CATHERINE,
RAIMOND ROLAND,
HOLDICH DAVID
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2427.1997.00176.x
Subject(s) - crayfish , biology , endangered species , mitochondrial dna , genetic diversity , conservation genetics , zoology , ecology , genetic variation , population , microsatellite , habitat , allele , genetics , demography , sociology , gene
1. The white‐clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes has a widespread distribution in Europe, but since the last century its distribution has been severely affected by a combination of factors, particularly the disease crayfish plague, introduced by foreign crayfish species. At present A. pallipes is considered as vulnerable and endangered and measures are being taken in a number of countries to conserve it. 2. The application of genetics to conservation is of practical value particularly where restocking is being considered. This study assesses levels of genetic differentiation from an analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation by restriction fragment length polymorphism of four populations sampled on a European scale. Six different composite haplotypes were detected among sixty‐four crayfish representing the four populations. mtDNA nucleon diversity values within species ranged from 0.63% to 12.35%. A close genetic similarity was found between British and French populations of A. pallipes . 3. Results show that mtDNA can be as a suitable diagnostic marker for measuring genetic diversity between crayfish populations and that such information is of use in planning crayfish conservation strategies.