This study presents the first examination of the genetic structure of Daphnia longispina complex populations in Eastern China. Only one species, D. galeata, was present across the eight investigated lakes; as identified by taxon assignment using allelic variation at 15 microsatellite loci. Three genetically differentiated D. galeata subgroups emerged independent of the type of statistical analysis applied. Thus, Bayesian clustering, discriminant analysis based on results from factorial correspondence analysis, and UPGMA clustering consistently showed that populations from two neighbouring lakes were genetically separated from a mixture of genotypes found in other lakes, which formed another two subgroups. Clonal diversity was high in all D. galeata populations, and most samples showed no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, indicating that clonal selection had little effect on the genetic diversity. Overall, populations did not cluster by geographical origin. Further studies will show if the observed pattern can be explained by natural colonization processes or by recent anthropogenic impact on predominantly artificial lakes.
Yangzhou University, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, China;Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Department Biologie II, Evolutionsökologie, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany;Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Ecosystem Research, Berlin, Germany;Fudan University, School of Life Science, MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Shanghai, China;Fudan University, School of Life Science, MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Shanghai, China;Fudan University, School of Life Science, MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Shanghai, China;Fudan University, School of Life Science, MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, Shanghai, China
Recommended Citation:
Wenzhi Wei,Sabine Gießler,Justyna Wolinska,et al. Genetic Structure of Daphnia galeata Populations in Eastern China[J]. PLOS ONE,2015-01-01,10(3)