Genetics of continental fishes

Description of impact

Application of molecular genetic analysis to differentiate continental fish populations thus identifying populational units of interest in management and conservation. This line of research is mainly focused on the study of endangered natural populations of autochthonous species. Such is the case of the identification of autochthonous natural populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and their differentiation from hybrid natural populations. These hybrid populations have been originated by the introgression of exogenous genetic material during the intense campaigns of restocking to the rivers with stocks of fish centers of external origin. Also, it includes the study of autochthonous natural fish populations , endangered because of habitat loss , including species like the fartet (Aphanius iberus), the samaruc (Valencia hispanica) or the stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) among others