Status of the Catalan chub Squalius laietanus (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) in France: input from morphological and molecular data.

TitleStatus of the Catalan chub Squalius laietanus (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) in France: input from morphological and molecular data.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsDenys, G, Dettai, A, Persat, H, Doadrio, I, Cruaud, C, Keith, P
JournalKnowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
Volume408
Issue4
Pagination1-13
KeywordsDNA taxonomy, France, hybridization, Squalius cephalus, Squalius laietanus
Abstract

Two species of chubs in French drainages: the common chub S. cephalus
and the Catalan chub S. laietanus restricted to Oriental Pyrenees (South
of France).Morphological and molecular characters distinguishing the two
species have been described on Spanish specimens, but not tested on
French samples. 32 sites were sampled throughout the French water system,
yielding 155 specimens of which 60 were sequenced for two molecular
markers COI and rhodopsin. Two divergent haplotype clusters for
COI are found, and indicate the presence of S. laietanus in France (from
Massane to Agly basins). In some sites, both species are sympatric. In
some cases, molecular results partially disagree with morphological data,
suggesting possible hybridizations between the two. This might threaten
Catalan chub in France, and its red list status should be re-evaluated in
order to undertake conservation measures.