Low genetic variation and strong genetic structure across a range of geographical scales in European smelt ( Osmerus eperlanus L.)

Abstract

Populations of anadromous European smelt ( Osmerus eperlanus L.) are declining across its range with mitigation efforts for this ecologically important species hindered by a lack of demographic information. Here, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite analyses were used to describe historical and recurrent demographics for the species across a large part of its range. mtDNA revealed a shallow phylogeographic structure indicating a cohesive ancestral population, low overall haplotype and nucleotide diversities. However, microsatellites revealed unexpectedly high genetic structuring ( F ST = 0.15; p

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