Fish Population Genetics

The conservation of biodiversity and the use of biological resources in a sustainable manner are not only an objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity, but also a common concern of humankind. To achieve this goal and to better assess e.g. the potential impact of human-induced global change on biodiversity, it is necessary to gather information about the genetic diversity of natural and cultivated species.

Within several projects, on behalf of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, BLE), colleagues from the Institute of Hydrobiology (TU Dresden) and I were estimating the genetic diversity of the Common Barbel (Barbus barbus), the European Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) and the Tench (Tinca tinca) in German river basins. These data provide the basis of recommendations for their future stocking and fisheries management in Germany.

The documented morphometric data and the results of the genetic analysis are implemented into the National Inventory of Aquatic Genetic Resources in Germany and the project reports are available for download (in German language).

• Common Barbel

• European Grayling

• Tench