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Mapping and monitoring genetic diversity of an alpine freshwater top predator by applying newly proposed indicators
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  • Anastasia Andersson,
  • Sten Karlsson,
  • Nils Ryman,
  • Linda Laikre
Anastasia Andersson
Stockholm University

Corresponding Author:anastasia.andersson@zoologi.su.se

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Sten Karlsson
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
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Nils Ryman
Stockholm University
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Linda Laikre
Stockholm University
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Abstract

Genetic diversity is the basis for population adaptation and long-term survival, yet rarely considered in biodiversity monitoring. One key issue is the need for useful and straightforward indicators of genetic diversity. To test newly proposed indicators, we monitored genetic diversity over 40 years (1970-2010) in metapopulations of brown trout inhabiting 27 small mountain lakes representing 10 water systems in central Sweden. Three of the indicators were previously proposed for broad, international use for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) context, while three others were recently elaborated for national use by a Swedish science-management effort and applied for the first time here. The Swedish indicators use molecular genetic data to monitor genetic diversity within and between populations and assess the effective population size (Ne). We used a panel of 96 SNPs and identified 29 discrete populations retained over time. Over 40 percent of the lakes harbored more than one population indicating that brown trout biodiversity hidden as cryptic, sympatric populations are more common than recognized. The Ne indicator showed values below the threshold (Ne≤500) in 20 populations with five showing Ne<100. Although statistically significant genetic diversity reductions occurred in several populations, they were mostly within proposed threshold limits. Metapopulation structure appears to buffer against diversity loss; when applying the indicators to metapopulations most indicators suggest an acceptable genetic status in all but one system. The CBD indicators agreed with the national ones but provided less detail. We propose that all indicators applied here are appropriate for monitoring genetic diversity within species.
29 Nov 2021Submitted to Molecular Ecology
30 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
30 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
08 Dec 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Jan 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Feb 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Apr 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Apr 20221st Revision Received
23 May 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Jun 20222nd Revision Received
16 Jun 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
20 Jun 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
22 Jun 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jun 20223rd Revision Received
26 Aug 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
08 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Sep 20224th Revision Received
15 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Accept