Genetic diversity of wild populations and broodstocks of curimba for restocking programs in the Tietê, Grande, Pardo and Mogi-Guaçu Rivers (Brazil)

Abstract

Prochilodus lineatus is a tropical fish that in recent years as shown a decrease in the number of wild populations. Restocking programs have been developed as a conservation method, and the genetic monitoring of populations and broodstocks is important to ensure the viability of such programs. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of wild samples (WSamp) and broodstocks of P. lineatus in restocking programs in the Tietê, Grande, Pardo and Mogi-Guaçu Rivers (São Paulo - Brazil) using microsatellite markers. High intra-population genetic variability was observed. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to seven, and was detected the differentiation of alleles among WSamp and the broodstocks. This differentiation was confirmed using a dendrogram analysis. Positive values of the FIS indicated the presence of endogamy in seven of 10 WSamp. The AMOVA and FST indicated small and moderate genetic differentiation among these WSamp and high genetic differentiation in comparison to the broodstocks. This differentiation was confirmed by the values of the genetic distance, genetic identity and number of migratory individuals. The results indicated that there was high intra-population genetic variability, genetic similarity in WSamp and broodstocks and differentiation between WSamp and broodstocks. We intend that this work can be used to assist restocking programs of P. lineatus in the studied region and that serves as a model of monitoring for other programs conducted in Brazil.