Phylogeography, genetic diversity and population structure of the freshwater stingray, (Müller & Henle, 1841) (Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygonidae) in the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco basins.

The freshwater stingray have coloration, osteological and morphometric variations that could suggest the existence of more than one species in Colombia. In order to evaluate the phylogeography, population structure and genetic diversity for distributed in the Amazon and Orinoco basins, we amplified partial region of mitochondrial DNA () in 50 samples from eight different sub-basins. Our results suggest three phylogroups and a vicariance event occurred 43 million years ago proposing how diverged into the basins. A high population structure ( = 0.692;  < 0.005) and a value of () of 3 were defined. A high genetic diversity within phylogroups was found: Phylogroup A ( = 0.64; π% = 2.48), Phylogroup B ( = 0.552; π% = 1.67), and Phylogroup C ( = 0.49; π% = 0.73). These results should be considered in local management plans, conservation programs and reclassification in at least Amazon and Orinoco.