Genetic discrimination of brackish and freshwater populations of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) in the Baltic Sea drainage: implications for fish forensics

摘要: Abstract Over recent years a growing number of studies suggest that both unregulated and illegal fishing can lead to the unsustainable exploitation populations or species. For developing biologically sound management conservation actions effectively fight against fish trade, it is crucial understand spatial temporal patterns genetic diversity commercially important In this study we characterized for first time population structure Eurasian perch at freshwater (Lake Peipus) Baltic Sea locations, representing targets commercial fisheries in Estonia. We also evaluated effectiveness individual group-based assignment tests identify origin different geographic scales. Results our showed low divergence among sample sites, which resulted self-assignment accuracy their sampling locations (mean 36.7%). However, regional level was considerably higher (Baltic Sea: 84.9%; Lake Peipus 88.0%). When assuming an unmixed group individuals, possible brackish with very high confidence (log10 LR > 3) if size exceeded 15-20 individuals. Our demonstrates power highly variable markers distinguish between two most stocks Estonia usefulness successfully fish. expect developed microsatellite-based reference database together described analytical framework provides tool more efficiently combat trade.