Genetic characteristics of Polish whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus maraena) broodstocks - Recommendations for the conservation management

Abstract

European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus maraena is an important fish species in Poland. Unfortunately, most of the whitefish populations are currently threatened with extinction, generally due to water pollution and overfishing. Because the whitefish populations have decreased drastically in Poland, a protection plan has been developed, which includes the creation of whitefish broodstocks in aquaculture conditions. During its implementation, genetic analysis of these valuable fish populations should be performed. This manuscript describes a study, in which microsatellite DNA analysis was applied to investigations into the genetic structure of two whitefish broodstocks maintained in Poland (Pomorska Bay and Galadus) and two natural populations from Lebsko Lake and Mamry Lake, northern Poland. Genetic differentiation was detected between the analyzed populations through the pairwise genetic differentiation index (FST). The DA measure of genetic distance between pairs of populations indicated that the shortest distance was between the Pomorska Bay broodstock and the Lebsko Lake population (0.062), while the longest one was between the Lebsko Lake and the Galadus populations (0.172). The present results reveal genetic characterization of important populations of whitefish in Poland and provide the first information about the genetic condition of these fish stocks.