Beeckman, T.; Caemelbeke, K. (Ed.) (1998). Populations: Natural and manipulated, symposium organized by the Royal Society of Natural Sciences Dodonaea, University of Gent, 29 October 1997. Biologisch Jaarboek (Dodonaea), 65. Koninklijk Natuurwetenschappelijk Genootschap Dodonaea: Gent. 257 pp., more
The African catfish Clarias gariepinus has a panafrican distribution from north of the Orange River (South Africa) up to the Mediterranean coast, including Asia Minor. It is well adapted to a variety of riverine and lacustrine habitats, tolerates brackish water, which facilitates coastal dispersal, is omnivorous and highly mobile. The broad range genetic variation (phylogeography) changes gradually but points to two major clusters on the basis of mitochondrial DNA variation: a Nilotic-Asian-Westafrican group and a Kenyan-Southafrican group. The Kenyan population seems to be the most related to the ancestral type although this has not been detected yet in our samples. The short- range genetic variation with- in river basins, studied on the basis of microsatellite DNA variation, points to a highly mobile life style; movements oftens of kilometers may be considered normal. Overal1 allozyme genetic variation is high. Molecular clock calculations on the basis of mitochondrial DNA and allozymes point to an ancestral Clarias gariepinus living 2 to 3 million year ago (Late Pliocene -Early Quaternary). Fossil material of the genus Clarias has been described from the Miocene. This points to a genus of old descent with limited genetic radiation during the Late Quaternary.
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