RT Journal Article
T1 A Benchmark for Atlantic Salmon Conservation: Genetic Diversity and Structure in a Southern European Glacial Refuge before the Climate Changed
A1 Almodóvar Pérez, Ana María
A1 Gómez Nicola, María Gracia
A1 Ayllón Fernández, Daniel
A1 Leal García, María Shaila
A1 Fernández Marchán, Daniel
A1 Elvira Payán, Benigno
AB Atlantic salmon Salmo salar supports highly valuable commercial and recreational fisheries in Europe, but its stocks are currently overexploited and threatened by climate change. Its southernmost populations (in northern Spain) play a key role in conserving the species’ original genetic diversity, which is endangered due to decades-long (1970s to 1990s) massive stocking with non-native stocks. Their decline is well documented, but the effect of stock transfer and conservation efforts is unclear. Nine microsatellite loci were amplified from archival samples (scales from 1958–1959) from eight Spanish rivers to analyse the species’ natural genetic dynamics before its decline started. Allelic richness was high in the historical populations (the 1950s) and above most contemporary estimates. Private alleles were found in most rivers, indicating high local uniqueness and relative isolation among river basins. Some alleles are regional markers since they are rare or absent from contemporary northern European populations. Effective population size suggested good conservation status, with higher values than those estimated for contemporary populations. Strong population structure and genetic differentiation between rivers were found, with limited gene flow, restricted to geographically close populations. Our estimates of historical genetic diversity and structure from southernmost salmon populations are a powerful benchmark to guide conservation programs.
PB MDPI
SN 2410-3888
YR 2023
FD 2023-06-16
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/128817
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/128817
LA eng
NO Almodóvar, A., Nicola, G. G., Ayllón, D., Leal, S., Marchán, D. F., & Elvira, B. (2023). A Benchmark for Atlantic Salmon Conservation: Genetic Diversity and Structure in a Southern European Glacial Refuge before the Climate Changed. Fishes, 8(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/FISHES8060321
NO This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through research project CGL2012-36049 and by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness through research project CGL2017-84269-P.
NO Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España)
NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 22 dic 2025