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An integrated genetic-demographic model to unravel the origin of genetic structure in European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.)
Andrello, M.; Bevacqua, D.; Maes, G.E.; De Leo, G.A. (2010). An integrated genetic-demographic model to unravel the origin of genetic structure in European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.). Evol. Appl. 4(4): 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-4571.2010.00167.x
In: Evolutionary Applications. Blackwell: Oxford. ISSN 1752-4571; e-ISSN 1752-4571, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Bias (Statistics)
    Biological phenomena > Evolution
    Demographic variables
    Temporal variations
    Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal; Brackish water; Fresh water
Author keywords
    demographic model; F-ST; genetic differentiation; sampling bias;temporal differentiation

Authors  Top 
  • Andrello, M.
  • Bevacqua, D.
  • Maes, G.E., more
  • De Leo, G.A.

Abstract
    The evolutionary enlightened management of species with complex life cycles often requires the development of mathematical models integrating demographic and genetic data. The genetic structure of the endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) has been thoroughly analyzed in several studies in the past years. However, the interpretation of the key demographic and biologic processes that determine the observed spatio-temporal genetic structure has been very challenging owing to the complex life cycle of this catadromous species. Here, we present the first integrated demographic-genetic model applied to the European eel that explicitly accounts for different levels of larval and adult mixing during oceanic migrations and allows us to explore alternative hypotheses on genetic differentiation. Our analyses show that (i) very low levels of mixing occurring during larval dispersal or adult migration are sufficient to erase entirely any genetic differences among sub-populations; (ii) small-scale temporal differentiation in recruitment can arise if the spawning stock is subdivided in distinct reproductive groups; and (iii) the geographic differentiation component might be overestimated if a limited number of temporal recruits are analyzed. Our study can inspire the scientific debate on the interpretation of genetic structure in other species characterized by complex life cycle and long-range migrations.

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