Project:BB|2057

Title
Conservation strategies for the endangered bullhead (Cottus gobio L., 1758) in Flanders (Belgium) by integrating ecological, physiological and genetic research methods
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Abstract

As a result of water pollution and river management practices, most Flemish bullhead populations are nowadays both small and isolated. Consequently, due to the loss of genetic variation associated with this, several populations are threatened with extinction. In order to evaluate the impact of human activities on these populations, and to develop appropriate conservation strategies, different approaches, considering different processes and endpoints, were combined. We determined conservation units using both highly variable microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences. These data were also used to assess genetic variation and population differentiation. A series of challenge tests was used to investigate the populations' physiological condition. Furthermore, population characteristics such as population size, age distribution, condition factor and mobility were determined. The results of these different studies allowed us to evaluate the severity of the problem and to formulate conservation strategies for this species.

Keywords

conservation strategies, endangered species, ecologicalresearch methods, physiological research methods, genetic research methods, water pollution, river management, genetic variation, genetic diversity, extinction, Genetics, Limnology and hydrobiology, Streams , running waters, Inland Water Biodiversity, Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, freshwater, ichthyology, Belgium, Flanders, Metazoa, Vertebrata, Pisces, Actinopterygii, Scorpaeniformes, Cottidae, Cottus gobio, bullhead, ray-finned fishes

People

Name Role Start End
Bervoets, Lieven member
Blust, Ronny member
Knapen, Dries member

Orgunits

Name Role Start End
Ecophysiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology unknown
Systematics and biochemical taxonomy unknown

created:2011-12-14 14:18:59 UTC, source:biodiv

© 2012 by the Belgian Biodiversity Platform