Population genetic structure and its implication in the conservation of Schizopygopsis pylzovi in Yellow River as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis.

To assess the genetic diversity, structure, and population dynamics of Schizopygopsis pylzovi, we examined the changes in mitochondrial DNA sequences (the mtDNA control region and the Cyt b gene; 1835 bp) in 304 individuals from nine populations. The samples were segregated into 112 haplotypes, with high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity. The haplotype diversity was highest in the Minhe (HS) range of Huangshui River and lowest in the Weiyuan (WY) range of Weihe River. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 69.64% of the total genetic variance was contributed by within-the-group variation and 30.36% was contributed by among-the-group variation. Pairwise FST revealed significant divergence between the populations. The FST