Saving the locals: a conservation genomics approach to the endangered Spanish Toothcarp, Aphanius iberus (Valenciennes, 1846)

dc.contributor.author Estarellas, Maria ca
dc.contributor.author Burriel-Carranza, Bernat ca
dc.contributor.author Carranza, Salvador ca
dc.contributor.other Consorci del Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona ca
dc.coverage.spatial Mediterrània (Espanya : Costa) ca
dc.date.accessioned 2026-03-03T09:51:49Z
dc.date.available 2026-03-03T09:51:49Z
dc.date.issued 2026
dc.description Understanding the genetic structure and evolutionary history of endangered species is crucial for effective conservation planning. The Spanish toothcarp, Aphanius iberus (Valenciennes, 1846), an endemic and euryhaline fish of the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula, is currently threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and anthropogenic translocations. Here, we employed both a single genetic marker (cytochrome b) and genome-wide SNP data from mediumcoverage whole genomes to investigate the population structure, genetic diversity, and demographic history of A. iberus, especially focussing on its northern distribution, which has remained poorly studied. Our analyses revealed a well-structured genetic pattern across the species’ range, with four main genetic lineages: Northern Catalonia, Southern Catalonia, Levantine, and Murcian. Genomic indicators, including heterozygosity, ROHs, and migration analyses, suggest higher inbreeding and genetic erosion in the northernmost populations, likely due to long-term isolation, whereas southern populations maintain higher genetic diversity. We also identified several admixed and potentially translocated populations. These findings underscore the importance of accurately determining the origin of populations before any translocation or reintroduction, as misguided management may compromise the genetic integrity of native lineages. This work provides essential genomic insights to guide conservation strategies and emphasizes the need for lineage-aware management of endemic species like A. iberus.
dc.description info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
dc.format application/pdf ca
dc.format.extent 13 p. ca
dc.identifier http://hdl.handle.net/2072/489206
dc.identifier https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-31909-y
dc.identifier.citation Scientific Reports, núm. 16 (2026), 2150 ca
dc.identifier.entitat consorcis ca
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/11703/144891
dc.language eng ca
dc.provenance Recercat (Dipòsit de la Recerca de Catalunya) ca
dc.rights © The Author(s) 2025
dc.rights CC-BY
dc.rights.accessrights info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ca
dc.subject Genòmica ca
dc.subject Translocació (Genètica) ca
dc.subject Biodiversitat ca
dc.subject Peixos ca
dc.subject.category Ciència i tecnologia ca
dc.subject.forma articles ca
dc.title Saving the locals: a conservation genomics approach to the endangered Spanish Toothcarp, Aphanius iberus (Valenciennes, 1846) ca
dc.type.driver info:eu-repo/semantics/article ca
metadadalocal.dependencia 8008920

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