Data from: Waterscape genetics of the yellow perch (Perca flavescens): patterns across large connected ecosystems and isolated relict populations

Comparisons of a species’ genetic diversity and divergence patterns across large connected populations versus isolated relict areas provide important data for understanding potential response to global warming, habitat alterations, and other perturbations. Aquatic taxa offer ideal case studies for interpreting these patterns, because their dispersal and gene flow often are constrained through narrow connectivity channels that have changed over geological time and/or from contemporary anthropogenic perturbations. Our research objective is to better understand the interplay between historic influences and modern-day factors (fishery exploitation, stocking supplementation, and habitat loss) in shaping population genetic patterns of the yellow perch Perca flavescens (Percidae: Teleostei) across its native North American range. We employ a modified landscape genetics approach, analyzing sequences from the entire mitochondrial DNA control region (912 base pairs) and 15 nuclear DNA microsatellite loci of 664 spawning adults from 24 populations. Results support that perch from three primary glacial refugium areas (Missourian, Mississippian, and Atlantic) founded contemporary northern populations. Genetic diversity today is highest in southern (never glaciated) populations, and also is appreciable in northern areas that were founded from multiple refugia. Divergence is greater among isolated populations, both north and south; the southern Gulf Coast relict populations are the most divergent, reflecting their long history of isolation. Understanding the influence of past and current waterway connections on the genetic structure of yellow perch populations may help us to assess the roles of ongoing climate change and habitat disruptions towards conserving aquatic biodiversity.对比物种在大型连通种群与孤立孑遗区域间的遗传多样性与分化模式，可为理解其对全球变暖、生境改变及其他干扰的潜在响应提供关键数据。 水生类群为阐释此类模式提供了理想的案例研究对象，因其扩散与基因流常受限于狭窄的连通通道——这类通道随地质时间发生变迁，或因当代人为干扰发生改变。 本研究旨在深入解析历史影响与现代因素（渔业开发、人工增殖放流及生境丧失）共同塑造黄鲈（*Perca flavescens*，鲈科(Percidae): 硬骨鱼纲(Teleostei)）原生北美分布区内种群遗传格局的相互作用。 本研究采用改良后的景观遗传学(landscape genetics)方法，对取自24个种群的664尾产卵亲体的全线粒体DNA控制区(mitochondrial DNA control region)（912个碱基对）序列，以及15个核DNA微卫星位点(microsatellite loci)进行分析。 研究结果表明，源自三大冰期避难所(glacial refugium)区域（密苏里、密西西比及大西洋避难所）的黄鲈奠基了当代北部种群。 现今南部（未受冰期覆盖）种群的遗传多样性最高，而源自多个避难所的北部区域种群同样具有可观的遗传多样性。 南北部的孤立种群间分化程度均更高；南部墨西哥湾沿岸孑遗种群的分化程度最高，这反映了其长期的隔离历史。 解析过往与当前水系连通性对黄鲈种群遗传结构的影响，或有助于我们评估当前气候变化与生境破坏在水生生物多样性保护中的作用。