Plitvice Lakes National park harbors ancient, yet endangered diversity of trout (genusSalmo)

Plitvice Lakes National Park, renowned for its unique karstic watersheds and biodiversity, harbors two evolutionary distinct species of trout: Salmo labrax and Salmo trutta. This study, using mitochondrial gene markers from 150 trout samples across 17 localities, reveals low genetic diversity within populations and restricted gene flow, likely due to habitat fragmentation and degradation. The findings highlight the urgent need for conservation measures to protect these ancient yet endangered trout species, which coexist in both 'pure' and admixed populations.

Buj, I., Raguž, L., Marčić, Z., Ćaleta, M., Duplić, A., Zanella, D., Mustafić, P., Ivić, L., Horvatić, S., & Karlović, R. (2020). Plitvice Lakes National park harbors ancient, yet endangered diversity of trout (genusSalmo). Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 37(1), 20–37. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14120