First record of Esox cisalpinus (Teleostea: Esocidae) in Sardinia with insight on its mitochondrial DNA genetic variability

Esox cisalpinus (Teleostea: Esocidae) (syn. Esox flaviae) is an Italian freshwater autochthonous fish, whose originary range is limited to the Northern and Central Italy. However, this species has historically been introduced in several areas of Southern Italy, mainly for recreational purposes. In t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European zoological journal 2016-10, Vol.83 (4), p.514-523
Main Authors: Casu, M., Scarpa, F., Cossu, P., Lai, T., Curini-Galletti, M., Varcasia, A., Sanna, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
E. cisalpinus
Esocidae
Esox
Haplotypes
Mitochondrial DNA
molecular taxonomy
mtDNA
Population
population dynamics
Sardinian freshwaters
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Summary:Esox cisalpinus (Teleostea: Esocidae) (syn. Esox flaviae) is an Italian freshwater autochthonous fish, whose originary range is limited to the Northern and Central Italy. However, this species has historically been introduced in several areas of Southern Italy, mainly for recreational purposes. In this paper we report the first record of E. cisalpinus on the Sardinia island (Western Mediterranean, Italy), where the species has been recently introduced at least in one lake. The species identification and the population dynamics analysis were performed using mitochondrial markers. The level of genetic variability, compared to those of other peninsular populations of E. cisalpinus, was surprisingly high, and several never-before-described haplotypes were found. A total of 10 mtDNA haplotypes were found. Demographic analysis is suggestive of a population expansion. We hypothesise that E. cisalpinus has been introduced in the Sardinian lake by the releasing of a conspicuous number of individuals. Given the conservational and recreational interest that E. cisalpinus arouses, it would be advisable that Sardinian government focuses in the near future also on management measures of its Sardinian population.
ISSN:1125-0003
2475-0255
1748-5851
2475-0263
DOI:10.1080/11250003.2016.1250962