title: Analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Bellamya quadrata from lakes of middle and lower Yangtze River.
abstract: As an endemic species of freshwater gastropods in China, Bellamya quadrata plays an important role in ecosystem service provision and commercial importance. However, the species is overharvested and its natural habitats are under severe threat due to fragmentation and loss. To estimate the genetic diversity and population structure of B. quadrata, 285 individuals from eight lake populations across middle and lower Yangtze River were sampled. Seven microsatellite loci were genotyped. Our results showed that (i) the genetic diversity of B. quadrata was high in most of the studied populations, yet effective population sizes appear to be rather small in some populations; (ii) low levels of genetic differentiation exists among populations but gene flow was generally high; (iii) no clear geographic or genetic structure was observed in the studied region, implying mechanisms (zoochoric dispersal and anthropogenic translocations) that enhance dispersal and gene flow have promoted population connectivity. However, the comparatively high genetic diversity of B. quadrata could be attributed to a lag phase, suggesting that the genetic diversity of this species may be lost in the future and the priorities for conservation of B. quadrata are necessary.
authors.affiliation: College of Fisheries, Engineering Technology Research Center of Henan Province for Aquatic Animal Cultivation, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, 453007, People's Republic of China, qianhong_g@163.com.
authors.forename: Qianhong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Man
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chuanjiang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Guorong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Yunni
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D049851:Gastropoda / Q000235:genetics*; D051456:Gene Flow; D040961:Genetic Drift; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D060106:Lakes; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D045483:Rivers