Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube
While the potamodromous sterlet was common in the past throughout the Upper Danube in Germany and Austria, it nearly vanished in the second half of the 20th century. Until recently, only one small and isolated reproductive sub-population is known from the German–Austrian border. However, isolated re...
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/10/893 |
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| author | Thomas Friedrich Dietmar Lieckfeldt Arne Ludwig |
| author_facet | Thomas Friedrich Dietmar Lieckfeldt Arne Ludwig |
| author_sort | Thomas Friedrich |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | While the potamodromous sterlet was common in the past throughout the Upper Danube in Germany and Austria, it nearly vanished in the second half of the 20th century. Until recently, only one small and isolated reproductive sub-population is known from the German–Austrian border. However, isolated remnants in another section downstream of Vienna, near the Austrian–Slovakian border, were discovered in 2014. An assessment of the population size is one of the most important prerequisites for conservation management. This study aims to assess the population sizes at both sites, using genetic pedigrees and comparison to mark–recapture data. A total of 193 samples collected from these populations between 2011 and 2021 have been investigated. In addition, 59 samples from captive stocks, 38 wild fish from downstream, and 247 genetic profiles from previous studies were used for comparison. Results show close relationships and intermittent reproduction on one site. Estimated populations based upon genetic pedigree are very small, and are consistent with mark–recapture results. Small population sizes of remnant populations have only limited, sporadic reproduction, as well as continual losses to outmigration support conservation actions for sturgeons in the Upper Danube, including the restoration of functional migration corridors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:20:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-04748c9ba4894fd1b8340b7b09fa9f3e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:20:01Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj.art-04748c9ba4894fd1b8340b7b09fa9f3e2023-11-23T23:49:30ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182022-10-01141089310.3390/d14100893Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper DanubeThomas Friedrich0Dietmar Lieckfeldt1Arne Ludwig2Institute for Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendelstraße 33, 1180 Vienna, AustriaLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, GermanyLeibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, GermanyWhile the potamodromous sterlet was common in the past throughout the Upper Danube in Germany and Austria, it nearly vanished in the second half of the 20th century. Until recently, only one small and isolated reproductive sub-population is known from the German–Austrian border. However, isolated remnants in another section downstream of Vienna, near the Austrian–Slovakian border, were discovered in 2014. An assessment of the population size is one of the most important prerequisites for conservation management. This study aims to assess the population sizes at both sites, using genetic pedigrees and comparison to mark–recapture data. A total of 193 samples collected from these populations between 2011 and 2021 have been investigated. In addition, 59 samples from captive stocks, 38 wild fish from downstream, and 247 genetic profiles from previous studies were used for comparison. Results show close relationships and intermittent reproduction on one site. Estimated populations based upon genetic pedigree are very small, and are consistent with mark–recapture results. Small population sizes of remnant populations have only limited, sporadic reproduction, as well as continual losses to outmigration support conservation actions for sturgeons in the Upper Danube, including the restoration of functional migration corridors.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/10/893Danubepopulation sizerelationshipsturgeonconservation |
| spellingShingle | Thomas Friedrich Dietmar Lieckfeldt Arne Ludwig Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube Diversity Danube population size relationship sturgeon conservation |
| title | Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube |
| title_full | Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube |
| title_fullStr | Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube |
| title_short | Genetic Assessment of Remnant Sub-Populations of Sterlet (<i>Acipenser ruthenus</i> Linnaeus, 1758) in the Upper Danube |
| title_sort | genetic assessment of remnant sub populations of sterlet i acipenser ruthenus i linnaeus 1758 in the upper danube |
| topic | Danube population size relationship sturgeon conservation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/10/893 |
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