Correlations between water quality and frequencies of allozyme genotypes in spotfin shiner (Notropis spilopteris) populations.

Genotype frequencies of glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI) allozymes differed significantly among populations of the spotfin shiner Notropis spilopterus from sites with varying water quality. Frequencies of shiners with a GPI-2 BB genotype decreased significantly at sites with reduced water quality. Alternatively, the total frequencies of shiners with a genotype of GPI-2 AA and AB increased at sites with reduced water quality. Individuals with certain allozyme genotypes may be more sensitive to the toxic effects of polluted waters than those with other genotypes. The selection of individuals with sensitive genotypes may reduce genetic diversity in populations and thus increase the susceptibility of these populations to additional novel stresses. Because allele and genotype frequencies of GPI-2 were correlated with water quality, electrophoretic determination of genetic structure in fishes may be a useful tool for monitoring the health of aquatic populations.