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Research article2016Peer reviewed

Adaptive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and neutral genetic variation in two native Baltic Sea fishes (perch Perca fluviatilis and zander Sander lucioperca) with comparisons to an introduced and disease susceptible population in Australia (P-fluviatilis): assessing the risk of disease epidemics

Faulks, L. K.; Ostman, O.

Abstract

This study assessed the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and neutral genetic variation and structure in two percid species, perch Perca fluviatilis and zander Sander lucioperca, in a unique brackish ecosystem, the Baltic Sea. In addition, to assess the importance of MHC diversity to disease susceptibility in these populations, comparisons were made to an introduced, disease susceptible, P. fluviatilis population in Australia. Eighty-three MHC class II B exon 2 variants were amplified: 71 variants from 92 P. fluviatilis samples, and 12 variants from 82 S. lucioperca samples. Microsatellite and MHC data revealed strong spatial genetic structure in S. lucioperca, but not P. fluviatilis, across the Baltic Sea. Both microsatellite and MHC data showed higher levels of genetic diversity in P. fluviatilis from the Baltic Sea compared to Australia, which may have facilitated the spread of an endemic virus, EHNV in the Australian population. The relatively high levels of genetic variation in the Baltic Sea populations, together with spatial genetic structure, however, suggest that there currently seems to be little risk of disease epidemics in this system. To ensure this remains the case in the face of ongoing environmental changes, fisheries and habitat disturbance, the conservation of local-scale genetic variation is recommended. (C) 2016 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Keywords

pike perch; microsatellites; 454 sequencing; invasive species

Published in

Journal of Fish Biology
2016, Volume: 88, number: 4, pages: 1564-1583
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

    Sustainable Development Goals

    SDG14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
    SDG13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Genetics
    Ecology

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12930

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/80311