Genetic diversity and restricted genetic connectivity in an endangered marine fish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) provides a model for conservation management in related and data-deficient species
Sharon A. Appleyard
A D , Tim P. Lynch B , Mark A. Green B and Francisco Encinas-Viso C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A CSIRO Australian National Fish Collection, National Research Collections Australia, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, Tas. 7004, Australia.
B CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, Tas. 7004, Australia.
C CSIRO Australian National Herbarium, National Research Collections Australia, Clunies Ross Street, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: sharon.appleyard@csiro.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 72(12) 1735-1745 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF21169
Submitted: 8 June 2021 Accepted: 22 July 2021 Published: 26 August 2021
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Determining the genetic diversity and differentiation among populations is a critical element of conservation biology, but for many aquatic, data-deficient species with small population sizes, this is not possible. Closely related species may therefore provide a model. For the first time, using over 4000 single-nucleotide polymorphism loci, we characterise the population genetic diversity and structure of one of the world’s rarest marine fish, the spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus), a species which is also a member of the most threatened marine bony fish family (Brachionichthyidae). Fin clips were taken from 170 live spotted handfish across seven disjunct sites within the only known estuary (in Tasmania, Australia) where multiple populations of the species are found. Spatially discrete populations clustered into three genetic groupings and a significant variance in allele frequencies among populations (overall FST = 0.043), even at the small scale of the estuary, was observed. Furthermore, low contemporary migration rate estimates suggest low genetic homogeneity between locations. Because of the low genetic connectivity, population clusters of spotted handfish within the estuary should be considered as separate conservation management units. This insight should be considered for management and conservation strategies of other data-deficient and threatened species in the family.
Keywords: spotted handfish, SNP, population structure, threatened species.
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