Phylogeography and conservation genetics of scaleless carp (Gymnocypris przewalskii) of Lake Qinghai, China.

The threatened scaleless carp, Gymnocypris przewalskii, is endemic to saline Lake Qinghai. This study used genetic techniques to examine the phylogeography of scaleless carp, specifically to look for the presence of a distinct stock structure. Significant differences in mitochondrial DNA variation were found between scaleless carp, it ancestor, Gymnocypris eckloni, and its subspecies, G. p. ganzihonensis. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis found significant differences between most fish sampled in tributaries, indicating that spawning groups should be treated as Management Units for conservation purposes. Analysis of Major Histocompatibility Complex (Mhc) variation in scaleless carp identified two locus groups, and found that these genes are highly polymorphic, and in terms of function and selection, behave in a similar fashion as in other teleosts. Additional information is needed if Mhc is to be fully characterized and used to further assess the genetic differences between G. p. przewalskii, G. eckloni, and G. p. ganzihonensis. --P.ii.