Fine-scale population genetic structure in Artemia urmiana (Gunther, 1890) based on mtDNA sequences and ISSR genomic fingerprinting

We investigated the genetic variability and population structure of the halophilic zooplankter Artemia urmiana from 15 different geographical locations of Lake Urmia using nucleotide sequences of COI (mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and genomic fingerprinting by ISSR-PCR (inter-simple sequence repeats). According to sequence data, A. urmiana exhibits a high level of haplotype diversity with a low level of nucleotide diversity. The haplotype spanning network recognized 36 closely related unique haplotypes. ISSR profiles confirmed a substantial amount of genomic diversity with a low level of population structure. No apparent genetic structure was recognized in Lake Urmia but rather a random geographic distribution of genotypes indicating a high degree of panmixia. The population genetic data indicate the possibility of an individual's relationship, implying that differentiation of individuals is not affected by ecological factors. Therefore, the A. urmiana population from Lake Urmia should be considered as a single management unit for conservation.