GENETIC VARIATION BETWEEN FOUR WHITEFISH BARBUS ANDREWI (PISCES: CYPRINI-DAE) POPULATIONS AND POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT

Summary

The endemic whitefish, Barbus andrewi, from the Western Cape Province of South Africa is threatened due to the impacts of predatory alien fishes and unsustainable use of its riverine habitat. A study was undertaken to determine the extent of genetic variation among Berg and Breede River populations. Genetic considerations could determine management actions to ensure the long-term survival of this vulnerable species. Sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b gene of two Berg River and 11 Breede River fish from three relatively isolated populations of B. andrewi showed low levels of variation. The two maternal lineages present in the Berg River specimens were also found in the Breede River specimens indicating that B. andrewi from the two river systems share a recent common ancestry. Data from the investigation suggest that fish from the Breede River, in particular from the abundant Brandvlei Dam population, can be used for restocking the depleted Berg River population. Other considerations (e.g. threats such as invasive alien fishes and habitat degradation) also need to be addressed to ensure the success of such a management programme.

Keywords:

• Barbus andrewi
• Cyprinidae
• Initochondrial DNA
• cytochrome b
• conservation