Contribution of conservation genetics in assessing neotropical freshwater fish biodiversity

Human activities have a considerable impact on hydrographic systems and fish fauna. The present review on conservation genetics of neotropical freshwater fish reveals that DNA analyses have been promoting increased knowledge on the genetic structure of fish species and their response to environmenta...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of biology 2008-11, Vol.68 (4 Suppl), p.1039-1050
Main Authors: Piorski, N M, Sanches, A, Carvalho-Costa, L F, Hatanaka, T, Carrillo-Avila, M, Freitas, P D, Galetti, Jr, P M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biodiversity
BIOLOGY
biology conservation
Conservation of Natural Resources
DNA - analysis
fish population
Fishes - classification
Fishes - genetics
Fresh Water
Genetic Markers
Genetic Variation
Humans
Molecular Biology
molecular genetics
Phylogeny
Population Density
Tropical Climate
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Human activities have a considerable impact on hydrographic systems and fish fauna. The present review on conservation genetics of neotropical freshwater fish reveals that DNA analyses have been promoting increased knowledge on the genetic structure of fish species and their response to environmental changes. This knowledge is fundamental to the management of wild fish populations and the establishment of Evolutionary Significant Units capable of conserving genetic integrity. While population structuring can occur even in long-distance migratory fish, isolated populations can show reduced genetic variation and be at greater risk of extinction. Phylogeography and phylogeny have been powerful tools in understanding the evolution of fish populations, species and communities in distinct neotropic environments. Captive fish can be used to introduce new individuals and genes into the wild and their benefits and disadvantages can be monitored through genetic analysis. Understanding how fish biodiversity in neotropical freshwaters is generated and maintained is highly important, as these habitats are transformed by human development and fish communities are increasingly exploited as food sources to sustain a growing human population.
ISSN:1519-6984
1678-4375
1678-4375
1519-6984
DOI:10.1590/S1519-69842008000500011