Anthropogenic activities along the lake nyasa catchments alter the habitat and genetic diversity of a lake salmon, opsaridium microlepis
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Heliyon
Abstract
The Lake Salmon, Opsaridium microlepis is an economically important fish along the Lake Nyasa.
However, the species is under threat of extinction due to anthropogenic activities such as agri
culture, mining, urbanization, and deforestation. Consequently, the fish species is currently
regarded as a threatened species, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
has red-listed the species due to an apparent decline in abundance. The current study assesses the
potential impact of human activities on the genetic diversity of O. microlepis using partial mito
chondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and microsatellite loci. The results
indicate that genetic diversity is lower in the areas affected by human activities compared to
relatively pristine areas. The results from this study may suggest that human activities taking
place in the catchments are likely to contribute to the alteration of the genetic diversity of O.
microlepis species. Thus, immediate measure is required to control anthropogenic activities in the
areas to protect the species and other aquatic organisms from possible threats of extinction.
Description
Research article
Keywords
Catchment degradation, Lake Nyasa, Threatened species, Fish diversity, Population genetics