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Kin-structured subpopulations in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.).
G Gerlach1, U Schardt, R Eckmann
1Department of Biology, PO Box 5560, University of Konstanz, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany. gabi.gerlach@uni-konstanz.de
Heredity
|May 31, 2001
Summary
Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) in Lake Constance are genetically structured into two distinct populations, eastern and western. Subadult perch do not exhibit homing behavior to parental spawning sites.
Area of Science:
- Population genetics
- Ichthyology
- Ecology
Background:
- Ecological and behavioral studies suggest Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) populations in lakes may be subdivided.
- Previous assumptions indicate a lack of panmixia within single-lake perch populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic substructuring of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) populations in Lake Constance.
- To determine if homing behavior of subadults and philopatric behavior of adults lead to genetic substructuring.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gene frequencies at five microsatellite loci.
- Comparison of perch from six sites in Lake Constance with outgroups from Grosser Vätersee, Lake Zurich, and Lake Walensee.
Main Results:
- Two genetically distinct populations of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) were identified in Lake Constance: eastern and western (GST = 0.07).
- No further genetic substructuring or inbreeding was detected within these two populations.
- Subadult perch remained in their respective lake regions, showing no homing behavior to parental spawning sites.
Conclusions:
- Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) in Lake Constance exhibit significant genetic substructuring into two main populations.
- Subadult perch dispersal patterns do not support homing behavior to parental spawning sites.
- Evidence suggests kin recognition and potential kin preferences among Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) siblings.