Phylogeny, Distribution, and Biology of Pygmy Whitefish (Prosopium coulterii) in the Beringia Region (Chukotka)

The pygmy whitefish Prosopium coulterii (C. H. Eigenmann & R. S. Eigenmann, 1892) is a freshwater fish with highly disjunct distribution ranging from the middle part of North America to Chukotka. There still no consensus regarding its phylogeny and dispersal history due limited information Chukotkan range. We investigated 22 lakes over Chukotka found much broader than it was previously thought. Pygmy be common species in that belong rivers draining into Arctic. Cytochrome B, cytochrome oxidase subunit 1, ATP synthase F0 6 mitochondrial sites were analyzed 25 samples reconstruct phylogenetic whitefish. Two haplogroups belonging east west ranges identified; both groups are closely related Alaskan pigmy distant Cascadia-Mackenzie (Peace) populations. Combining patterns, network topology, contemporary knowledge on glaciation region, we suggest possible colonization pathway Beringia region beyond it. basic biological characteristics (fork length, number gill rakers, pyloric caeca, age structure, feeding) also presented characterize populations