Mitochondrial DNA diversity of Glyptothorax zanaensis (Wu et al., 1981) populations in Nu River, China

Abstract

The hillstream fish, Glyptothorax zanaensis (Wu et al., Oceanol Limnol Sin 12:74–79, 1981) is a freshwater teleost species belonging to the order Siluriformes, endemic to Nu River and Lancang River basin. Because wild stocks of G. zanaensis have declined substantially in recent years, owing to overexploitation, pollution, illegal fishing practices and the development of hydroelectricity in the Nu River, the populations of G. zanaensis have markedly declined in recent years. We studied the mitochondrial DNA cyt b gene to assess the genetic diversity of G. zanaensis in seven tributaries of the Nu River. Seventy variable sites defined 15 haplotypes in 153 individuals. Haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.542 ± 0.014 and 0.011 ± 0.007, respectively. The Sunzu River site had the highest haplotype diversity (Hd, 0.893 ± 0.014) and nucleotide diversity ( Pi, 0.010 ± 0.012). Genetic diversity was low in the Dong River, Fengwei River and Mengtong River. Pairwise F _ST values ranged from 0.00 to 1.00. Significant F _ST values were found for Sunzu River sampled sites paired with all other populations and Mengtong river sampled site paired with the others. Furthermore, the Nanpeng River sampled site was significantly differentiated from the Luoming River, Dong River and Fengwei River sampled sites. Such knowledge is essential for developing appropriate policies for the rational management of G. zanaensis.