Genetic Structure and Genetic Diversity of the Endemic Korean Aucha Perch, Coreoperca herzi (Centropomidae), in Korea

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Coreoperca herzi is a freshwater fish endemic to Korea. So far, studies on C. herzi have mainly focused on ecological studies, but studies on its genetic diversity are lacking. For the first time, we investigated genetic diversity and structure using mitochondrial DNA data in this study. The genetic diversity was found to be low. In addition, the translocated population, Yangyangnamdaecheon, was confirmed to have originated from the Han River water system population as a result of genetic similarity. This study provides information on the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and translocated populations of C. herzi, providing a basis for the conservation of the species. ABSTRACT: The Korean endemic aucha perch, Coreoperca herzi, belongs to the family Centropomidae. Thus far, studies on C. herzi have focused on mitochondrial genomes, egg development, and early life history, while studies on their genetic diversity or genetic structure are lacking. We investigated these aspects in this study using mitochondrial DNA data. Haplotypes were divided into the Hangang River, Nakdonggang River, Geumgang River, and southwest region water system populations. A translocated population, the Yangyang Namdaechun Stream, was confirmed to have originated from the Hangang River water system population based on haplotype distribution and genetic structure results. The F(ST) of the mitochondrial DNA indicated distinct genetic differentiation in the Hangang, Nakdonggang, Geumgang, and southwest regions. According to COI and analyses, the analysis of molecular variance revealed a higher variance in the four water system groups (98.41%) than in the southwest region water system versus the Hangang River water system (80.27%) groups. This study presents basic data for conservation by providing extensive information on the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and translocation population of C. herzi.