Genetic diversity and structure of one of the most endangered freshwater fish species in Mexico:Tlaloc hildebrandi(Miller, 1950) and recognition of its evolutionarily significant units

• DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11952
• Publication Date: 2021-08-27T10:19:35Z
• Authors: Rosa G. Beltrán-L...; Alfonso A. Gonzál...; Miriam Soria-Barreto; Marco Antonio Gar...; Carmela Xochitla-...; Rocío Rodiles-Her...; Claudia Patricia ...
• Keywords: Fresh water fish

The endangered Chiapas killifish Tlaloc hildebrandi is an endemic freshwater species that lives in four subbasins of the Grijalva and Usumacinta basins, one most geographically restricted Produndulidae family. was originally described as to springs high limestone plateau San Cristóbal de Las Casas Río Amarillo subbasin (upper basin). However, it recently recorded Jataté Tzaconejá upper basin, thereby expanding its known distribution range. discovery these populations relevant not only for conservation but also a better understanding evolutionary history. Currently, scarce T. , found few localities are fragmented living under unfavorable conditions. Here, we analyzed three mitochondrial ( mt-atp8&6 mt-nd2 ) nuclear nuc-s7 marker order assess genetic diversity population structure . We that, comparison with other fish from Mexico, showed lower level : h = 0.469, π 0.0009; 0.398, 0.001; nuc-S7 0.433, 0.001). Moreover, exhibited strong accordance their geographic distribution, can be placed into clusters: (1) plus Chenhaló (2) Jataté, (3) Tzaconejá, both basin. On basis our results, propose recognition at least evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) urgent implementation ex situ management efforts consider background species.