Understanding the genetic structure and history of species like the endangered Markakol grayling can help inform conservation strategies by revealing the effects of past climate and geological changes.
This study focused on the grayling populations in Xinjiang, China, using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers to identify genetic diversity and confirm species identification, distinguishing it from the Arctic grayling.
Results indicated two distinct geographic groups separated by the Crane River, with high haplotype diversity but low nucleotide diversity highlighting the species' vulnerability to genetic drift, which is critical for conservation management.