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Phenotypic and genetic divergence within a single whitefish form - detecting the potential for future divergence
Philipp Emanuel Hirsch1, Reiner Eckmann2, Claus Oppelt2
1Program Man-Society-Environment, University of Basel Basel, Switzerland.
Evolutionary Applications
|January 31, 2014
Summary
Restored lake whitefish (Coregonus macrophthalmus) are regaining lost biodiversity. Phenotypic and genetic diversity is re-emerging, showing potential for future divergence if managed correctly.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Fisheries Science
Background:
- Human-induced nutrient enrichment (eutrophication) alters selection pressures, potentially leading to biodiversity loss and speciation reversal in fish populations.
- Whitefish (Coregonus macrophthalmus) populations have experienced biodiversity loss due to past eutrophication, impacting their phenotypic and genetic diversity.
- Lake restoration efforts aim to reverse eutrophication effects and potentially restore ecological and evolutionary processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current phenotypic and genetic diversity of whitefish in a recently restored lake.
- To investigate if whitefish populations are regaining diversity lost during previous eutrophication.
- To understand the potential for future evolutionary divergence in response to re-established environmental gradients.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic analysis of whitefish sampled from different spawning depths.
- Microsatellite genetic analysis to assess population structure and reproductive isolation.
- Comparison of current diversity with historical data from the eutrophic period.
Main Results:
- Whitefish spawning at shallower depths exhibited distinct phenotypes (fewer gill rakers, faster growth, benthic feeding morphology) and higher diet specialization compared to deeper-spawning individuals.
- Microsatellite data confirmed reproductive isolation between shallow and deep spawning groups.
- Evidence suggests whitefish are retaining or regaining phenotypic and genetic diversity previously lost.
Conclusions:
- The whitefish population in the restored lake demonstrates a capacity to regain lost diversity and shows potential for future adaptive divergence.
- Re-established littoral-pelagic selection gradients can drive natural selection on specialized phenotypes.
- Effective management, including adapted fishing and stocking strategies, is crucial to support the recovery of whitefish biodiversity and evolutionary potential.
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