Conservation genomics of the threatened Trispot Darter (Etheostoma trisella)

The southeastern United States is a hotspot of biodiversity, but aquatic habitats are fragmented by anthropogenic activities such as hydrologic alteration. Small-stream-inhabiting fish can suffer population declines, loss of genetic diversity, and migration impediment from riverine impoundment. The Trispot Darter (Etheostoma trisella) is a small, freshwater fish endemic to the southeastern United States. E. trisella was previously believed to be extinct and has now been listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, due to destruction of its limited habitat and a restricted range. We used mitochondrial DNA (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene), seven microsatellite loci, and 9732 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to evaluate population structure and diversity in E. trisella. Mitochondrial data provided evidence of historical connectivity between populations, with haplotype sharing across populations and weak support for population structure. Microsatellite and SNP data, however, indicate that populations have more recently become isolated. Furthermore, we detect three distinct management units (i.e., genetic groups) which reflect isolated geographic localities (i.e., Little Canoe Creek, Ballplay Creek, and a system including the Conasauga and Coosawattee rivers). We also detected a recent bottleneck event in the Ballplay Creek population as well as a low effective population size. Tests of isolation by distance further suggest that populations are structured by riverine isolation rather than geographic distance. A better understanding about the distribution, abundance, and habitat occupancy of all E. trisella populations will be important for informing future decisions for conservation of the species.