Low levels of genetic differentiation among populations of the freshwater fish Hypseleotris compressa (Gobiidae: Eleotridinae): implications for its biology, population connectivity and history.

The isolating nature of freshwater systems may lead to expectations of substantial genetic subdivision among populations of obligate freshwater species. We examined the genetic structure of populations of the freshwater fish Hypseleotris compressa (Gobiidae) using allozyme and mtDNA markers. Fifteen east coast Queensland populations and one Northern Territory population were sampled to examine levels of differentiation within and between drainages at near, medium and broad scales. Initial allozyme data suggested high levels of gene flow and connectivity among populations at broad spatial scales. However there was no significant relationship between geographical distance and gene flow among east coast populations which may indicate, among other possibilities, that these populations are not at equilibrium between gene flow and genetic drift. Analyses of a 567-bp fragment of the ATPase6 mtDNA gene revealed a star-shaped phylogeny, with many singleton, recently derived haplotypes. Tajima's test of neutrality was significantly negative. The allozyme and mtDNA data may be indicative of an historical demographic change that was reflected in the nonequilibrium pattern exhibited by contemporary populations. As estimating current levels of gene flow would violate basic assumptions of underlying models, approximations were not made. Nevertheless, patterns of genetic variation among populations of H. compressa do not match traditional expectations for a freshwater fish, and it would appear that there has been at least historical connectivity between populations now inhabiting different drainages.