Chaowalee Jaisuk. Effects of landscape on genetic variation of stone lapping minnow (Garra cambodgiensis (TIRANT, 1884)) populations in the upper Nan River. Doctoral Degree(Aquatic Science). Burapha University. Library. : Burapha University, 2018.
Effects of landscape on genetic variation of stone lapping minnow (Garra cambodgiensis (TIRANT, 1884)) populations in the upper Nan River
Abstract:
Spatial genetic variation of stream-dwelling freshwater fish is typically
affected by the historical and contemporary river landscape as well as life-history
traits. Tropical river and stream landscapes have endured extended geological change
and were less affected by the latest glaciation period. As a consequence, these systems
tend to be extremely complex and may have shaped genetic diversity of fish
populations in a unique manner. Such information on population structure for tropical
aquatic systems, especially in freshwater ecosystem is lacking. These data are
becoming important for designing appropriate management and conservation plans,
as these aquatic systems are undergoing intense development and exploitation.
Therefore, this dissertation research evaluated the effects of landscape features on
population genetic diversity of Garra cambodgiensis, a tropical stream cyprinid, in
the upper Nan River drainage basin, northern Thailand, using 5-11 hypervariable
microsatellite loci. This research consisted of three elements focusing on two
geographic scales, basin and sub-basin levels.
First study described overall spatial genetic variation of populations from
eight tributaries (six sub-basins) representing the entire upper Nan River drainage
(Meed, Kon, Pua, Yao, Yang, Sa, Wa and Haeng rivers). Based on 11 microsatellite
loci, I detected moderate genetic diversity within eight population samples (average
number of alleles per locus across loci = 10.99±3.00; allelic richness = 10.12±2.44.
Allelic richness within samples negatively correlated with stream order (P < 0.05).
There was no evidence for recent bottleneck events in these populations. These
populations in the upper Nan River drainage basin were genetically heterogeneous
v
(Global FST = 0.022, P < 0.01). The Bayesian clustering algorithms (TESS and
STRUCTURE) suggested that four to five genetic clusters roughly coincide with
sub-basins; (1) the headwater streams/ the main stem of the Nan River, (2) a middle
tributary, (3) a southeastern tributary and (4) a southwestern tributary. I observed
positive correlation between geographic distance and linearized FST (P < 0.05), and
the genetic differentiation pattern can be moderately explained by the contemporary
stream network (STREAMTREE analysis, R
2
= 0.75). The MEMGENE analysis
suggested genetic division between northern (genetic clusters 1 and 2) and southern
(clusters 3 and 4) sub-basins.
The second component examined the impacts of landscape features on
genetic variation of G. cambodgiensis at a sub-basin level, the Nam Wa sub-basin.
This sub-basin, with the Wa River being the major river, represents a complex
landscape allowing for some in-depth evaluation. Samples came from five localities
(SP, Pha, NW, HR and NS) along the Wa River, representing different land use types,
elevations, stream orders and positions relative to a man-made dam, namely Nam Wa
Dam. Based on 10 microsatellite loci, the genetic diversity of samples in the sub-basin
level was lower than that observed in a basin level. The impacts of hierarchical
structure of the stream on genetic variation was less noticeable. However, pairwise
differences in elevation and pairwise geographic distance among sites were important
explanatory variables contributing to the existing spatial genetic variation of
G. cambodgiensis. The genetic impacts of a recently built large concrete dam, namely
Nam Wa dam, on G. cambodgiensis populations in the Wa River was not apparent.
However, genetic monitoring would be needed to assess long-term genetic impacts of
this dam.
The third component examined the effects of physical barriers on genetic
variation of G. cambodgiensis from six locations above and below three physical
barriers in the Wa River system, namely Sapun Waterfall (SPU, SPL, Pun Stream),
Nakham Dam (NKU, NKL, Mang Stream) and Suwanua Dam (SWU, SWL, Wa
River). Based on 5 microsatellite loci, sample located above the Sapun Waterfall
(SPU) was most genetically distinct from other remaining samples, including SPL
(FST = 0.097-0.307), and had the lowest genetic diversity. For the remaining samples,
samples above and below the weirs were more genetically similar although the
vi
genetic distance values were significant for all sample pairs (FST = 0.051 for
SWU-SWL; 0.024 for NKU-NKL). STRUCTURE analysis revealed unequal
admixture from the NK samples in SWU and SWL, suggesting some restriction to
movement downstream. The results suggested a large genetic impact of a large barrier
(> 10 meter high) and more subtle genetic impacts of smaller concrete weirs
(< 5 meter high). The barrier size should be an important consideration for the design
for fish-friendly structures.
In summary, a contemporary structure of a river network, pairwise
difference in elevation and stream orders greatly shaped genetic population strucutre
of G. cambodgiensis n the upper Nan River system. A high degree of genetic
admixture in each location in the upper Nan River Basin highlighting the importance
of natural flooding patterns and possible genetic impacts of supplementary stocking.
At the sub-basin level in the Nam Wa sub-basin, isolated headwater populations may
undergo recent bottlenecks. Any habitat change to disrupt the connectivity of the river
should be avoided. Insights obtained from this research advance our knowledge of the
interactions between the complexity of a tropical stream system and the ecology of
stream-dwelling fish as well as provide guidance for current conservation and
restoration efforts for this species.