Genetic footprint of population fragmentation and contemporary collapse in a freshwater cetacean

摘要: Understanding demographic trends and patterns of gene flow in an endangered species, occupying a fragmented habitat, is crucial for devising conservation strategies. Here, we examined the extent population structure recent evolution critically Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP, Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ). By analysing genetic variation at mitochondrial nuclear microsatellite loci 153 individuals, identified 3 populations along River, each one connected to group admixed ancestry. Each displayed extremely low diversity, consistent with small effective size (≤106 individuals) census sizes. Habitat degradation distribution gaps correlated highly asymmetric gene-flow that was inefficient maintaining connectivity between populations. Genetic inferences historical demography revealed descended from number founders colonizing river sea during last Ice Age. The colonization followed by rapid split millennium predating Chinese industrial revolution. However, diversity showed clear footprint contraction over 50 years leaving only 2% pre-collapsed size, concomitant These results provide background information mitigation strategies prevent YFP extinction.