Genetic diversity of perch populations in three lowland reservoirs (Central Poland): perspectives for fish sustainable management

Proper multidimensional management of perch, common and one of the most abundant species in European freshwaters, is a challenge both from ecological and commercial perspective. However, all activity relating to the management of the perch must be based on good genetic knowledge in order to ensure a purity of species and further conservation of biodiversity. Therefore, in the present study, the mtDNA cytb and D–loop restriction analysis was applied in order to estimate genetic diversity within and among three perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) populations in reservoirs of Central Poland: Sulejów, Próba and Jeziorsko. Two out of nine, and two out of eight restriction enzymes were polymorphic for cytb and D–loop, respectively. Five different haplotypes were detected with the simultaneous occurrence of haplotype 1 in all three populations. Nucleotide diversity values within investigated populations were low (0.003 to 0.02). No significant differentiation (P = 0.248) among populations representing two different catchments of Pilica and Vistula rivers, was observed. The lack of genetic differentiation of perch populations is the first important element for the development of a strategy to regulate the perch in Polish river systems, with simultaneous reduction of fish in eutrophic reservoirs and increase in amount of perch, in sites favorable for fishing and aquaculture.