Phylogeography, genetic diversity and population structure of the freshwater stingray, <i>Paratrygon aiereba</i> (Müller &amp; Henle, 1841) (Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygonidae) in the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco basins

Abstract

The freshwater stingray <i>Paratrygon aiereba</i> have coloration, osteological and morphometric variations that could suggest the existence of more than one species in Colombia. In order to evaluate the phylogeography, population structure and genetic diversity for <i>P. aiereba</i> distributed in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, we amplified <i>Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI)</i> partial region of mitochondrial DNA (<i>mtDNA</i>) in 50 samples from eight different sub-basins. Our results suggest three phylogroups and a vicariance event occurred 43 million years ago proposing how <i>Paratrygon</i> diverged into the basins. A high population structure (<i>Φ_ST</i> = 0.692; <i>p</i> < 0.005) and a value of (<i>K</i>) of 3 were defined. A high genetic diversity within phylogroups was found: Phylogroup A (<i>h</i> = 0.64; π% = 2.48), Phylogroup B (<i>h</i> = 0.552; π% = 1.67), and Phylogroup C (<i>h</i> = 0.49; π% = 0.73). These results should be considered in local management plans, conservation programs and reclassification in at least Amazon and Orinoco.