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中的遗传多样性与分化模式，可为解析其对全球变暖、生境改变及其他扰动的潜在响应提供关键科学数据。水生类群为这类研究模式的解析提供了理想案例，因其扩散与基因流通常受限于狭窄的连通通道——这类通道既会在地质时间尺度上发生变迁，也可能因当代人为活动扰动产生变化。本研究旨在深入解析历史影响因素与当代因子（渔业捕捞、种苗补放、生境丧失）共同塑造黄鲈（*Perca flavescens*，鲈科Percidae：硬骨鱼纲Teleostei）在其原生北美分布区内的种群遗传格局的相互作用机制。本研究采用改良的景观遗传学（landscape genetics）方法，对采自24个种群的664尾产卵成体的全线粒体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（nuclear DNA microsatellite loci）进行分析。研究结果表明，当代北部种群均源自三个主要冰期避难所（glacial refugium）区域：密苏里避难所、密西西比避难所与大西洋避难所。现今遗传多样性水平最高的种群分布于南部（未受冰期覆盖）区域，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。孤立种群（无论南北）间的遗传分化程度更高；其中南部墨西哥湾沿岸的孑遗种群分化程度最高，这反映了其长期的隔离历史。解析历史与当代水系连通性对黄鲈种群遗传结构的影响，或有助于评估当前气候变化与生境破坏对水生生物多样性保护的作用。