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Genetic structure of pike ( E sox lucius ) reveals a complex and previously unrecognized colonization history of I reland
Author(s) -
Pedreschi Debbi,
KellyQuinn Mary,
Caffrey Joe,
O'Grady Martin,
Mariani Stefano
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1365-2699
pISSN - 0305-0270
DOI - 10.1111/jbi.12220
Subject(s) - pike , biology , population , genetic diversity , genetic structure , evolutionary biology , microsatellite , genetic variation , colonization , demography , ecology , zoology , genetics , allele , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , gene , sociology
Aim We investigated genetic variation of I rish pike populations and their relationship with E uropean outgroups, in order to elucidate the origin of this species to the island, which is largely assumed to have occurred as a human‐mediated introduction over the past few hundred years. We aimed thereby to provide new insights into population structure to improve fisheries and biodiversity management in I rish freshwaters. Location I reland, B ritain and continental E urope. Methods A total of 752 pike ( E sox lucius ) were sampled from 15 locations around Ireland, and 9 continental E uropean sites, and genotyped at six polymorphic microsatellite loci. Patterns and mechanisms of population genetic structure were assessed through a diverse array of methods, including B ayesian clustering, hierarchical analysis of molecular variance, and approximate B ayesian computation. Results Varying levels of genetic diversity and a high degree of population genetic differentiation were detected. Clear substructure within Ireland was identified, with two main groups being evident. One of the I rish populations showed high similarity with B ritish populations. The other, more widespread, Irish strain did not group with any E uropean population examined. Approximate B ayesian computation suggested that this widespread I rish strain is older, and may have colonized Ireland independently of humans. Main conclusions Population genetic substructure in Irish pike is high and comparable to the levels observed elsewhere in E urope. A comparison of evolutionary scenarios upholds the possibility that pike may have colonized Ireland in two ‘waves’, the first of which, being independent of human colonization, would represent the first evidence for natural colonization of a non‐anadromous freshwater fish to the island of I reland. Although further investigations using comprehensive genomic techniques will be necessary to confirm this, the present results warrant a reappraisal of current management strategies for this species.