Phenotypic and genotypic variability in the Snowtrout Schizothorax richardsonii (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) wild populations from central Himalayan tributaries of the Ganga River basin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.9541.17.11.27874-27888Keywords:
Schizothorax richardsonii, Phenotypic plasticity, Genetic diversity, COX1 gene, Indian HimalayasAbstract
Schizothorax richardsonii (Gray, 1832), commonly known as Snowtrout, is widely distributed in the Himalayan region of India, particularly in the Ganga River basin tributaries, including Mandakini, Nandakini Pindar, and Alaknanda. Habitat isolation among river ecosystems often drives phenotypic and genotypic differences, leading to changes in fish population structure. In the present study, intraspecific phenotypic and genetic variation in Snowtrout populations from tributaries of the Ganga River basin was assessed to understand their diversity and evolutionary dynamics. Phenotypic and genotypic data were analyzed using a geometric morphometrics approach and the mitochondrial COX1 gene marker. One-hundred-and-ninety specimens were collected from four tributaries of the Ganga River basin. The canonical variates analysis (CVA) confirmed the existence of four phenotypically distinct populations within the Ganga River basin. Principal component one (PC1) based shape wireframe revealed the positions of the pelvic fin, caudal peduncle, and anal fin origin to be important parameters in differentiating these phenotypes. The COX1 sequences revealed three polymorphic sites and five haplotypes overall, including the highest genetic diversity in the Mandakini population (h = 0.67 & л = 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis and Fst-based heatmap showed clear genetic differentiation among the four populations. The distinct phenotypic and genotypic patterns observed among S. richardsonii populations may reflect the combined effects of ecological adaptation and restricted gene flow resulting from anthropogenic barriers, such as dams and altered flow regimes. This study represents the first effort to examine the phenotypic and genotypic variability of Schizothorax richardsonii using an integrated approach that combines geometric morphometrics with the mitochondrial COX1 gene marker, focusing on populations from the Ganga River basin. The observed variations among S. richardsonii populations highlight the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in future management and conservation planning.
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