Phylogeographical patterns of Cnesterodon decemmaculatus populations at different geographic scales in Buenos Aires province: possible implications ifor its use as a bioindicator species

BYRNE MS; OSSANA NA; BIANCO PM; FERRARI L; CAMPOS LB; TÚNEZ JI

MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH

CSIRO PUBLISHING

Lugar: Collingwood; Año: 2020

1323-1650

Cnesterodon decemmaculatus, which is a freshwater fish abundant in the Pampean region of Argentina, is used as a bioindicator of the status of watercourses throughout its distribution area. This work aimed to (1) evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of C. decemmaculatus from two river basins in northeastern Buenos Aires province, Argentina; (2) assess a possible association between genetic structure and the geographical distribution of river basins, including in the analysis data of populations from the south of the province, and (3) validate the use of the species as a bioindicator of the ecological status of watercourses in northeastern Buenos Aires province. The analysis of a 700 bp-fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region showed moderate to high levels of genetic diversity and lack of genetic structure between the northeastern basins, validating the use of this species as a bioindicator. Significant differences in genetic structure were found among basins at a regional scale. The lack of genetic structure between the northeastern basins may result from historical and current events, while genetic differences between the northeastern and southern basins may be explained by the absence of physical connections between them.